A Verb Is Reflexive When the Subject and the Object Are the Same

Main Entry: reflexive pronoun
Function: noun
: a pronoun referring to the subject of the sentence, clause, or verbal phrase in which it stands; specifically : a personal pronoun compounded with –self

In other words, a verb is reflexive when the subject and the object are the same.

I wash myself.
subject: I
verb: wash
object: myself

Since the subject and object are the same, the verb is reflexive.


I wash the car.
subject: I
verb: wash
object: car

Since the subject and object are different, the verb is not reflexive.

Which sentences require a reflexive verb and which do not?

wash the dog wash your hands

raise your arm raise the book

go to bed put your baby to bed

wake up your son wake yourself up

In Spanish, reflexive verbs have –se at the end of the verb (i.e. lavarse) or are accompanied by a reflexive pronoun (i.e. me, te, se, etc).

Reflexive Pronouns

me (myself) nos (ourselves)
te (yourself) os (yourselves)
se (himself, herself, yourself) se (themselves, yourselves)

Where do we place the reflexive pronoun? BCV – before the conjugated verb.

Example – Me lavo el pelo.