How do you know if a Spanish verb is reflexive?

Dictionary entries end in -se: levantarse, lavarse, vestirse. When conjugating, drop -se and add the matching reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) BEFORE the verb.

What's the difference between reflexive and object pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns match the SUBJECT, yo / me, tú / te, él / se. Object pronouns refer to a different person. Me lavo (I wash myself), reflexive. Me lava (he washes me), object.

Can the plural reflexive se mean each other?

Yes. Nos vemos can mean we see each other (reciprocal) OR we see ourselves (reflexive). Context decides. For emphasis on reciprocity, add el uno al otro / la una a la otra.

How can I master Spanish reflexive pronouns?

Learn the common reflexive verbs (levantarse, ducharse, vestirse) as daily-routine vocabulary. Practice placement (before conjugated verb, attached to infinitive). Parrot's daily videos feature reflexive verbs constantly.

Spanish grammar · Beginner

Spanish Reflexive Pronouns: Me, Te, Se, Nos, Os, Se

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Spanish reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) match the subject and indicate the action loops back on itself. Used with reflexive verbs (levantarse, lavarse), reciprocal actions (se vieron), and for emphasis (me lo comí todo).

Me levanto temprano.

I get up early.

What it is

Spanish reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) match the subject and indicate the action loops back on itself. They're used with reflexive verbs (verbs ending in -se: levantarse, lavarse, vestirse), reciprocal actions between two people (se vieron = they saw each other), and sometimes for emphasis or intensification (me lo comí todo = I ate it all up).

Me levanto a las siete (I get up at 7), reflexive: I get myself up. Se ven cada semana (They see each other every week), reciprocal.

How to spot it

Look for me, te, se, nos, os, se BEFORE a verb (or attached to infinitive / gerundio / affirmative command). Same forms as object pronouns for 1st / 2nd person (me, te, nos, os). Distinct se for 3rd person.

Me levanto temprano. — I get up early.
Se llama María. — Her name is María.
Nos vimos ayer. — We saw each other yesterday.

Reflexive verbs are listed in dictionaries with -se attached: levantarse (to get up), lavarse (to wash oneself), vestirse (to get dressed). Drop -se and add the reflexive pronoun in conjugation.

Spanish Reflexive Pronouns Quick Reference

Spanish reflexive pronouns

Person	Reflexive Pronoun
yo (myself)	me
tú (yourself)	te
él/ella/Ud. (himself/herself/yourself)	se
nosotros (ourselves)	nos
vosotros (yourselves)	os
ellos/ellas/Uds. (themselves)	se

Common Spanish Reflexive Pronouns Examples in Spanish

Reflexive pronouns in real Spanish contexts:

Daily Routine Verbs

Me levanto a las siete.: I get up at seven.
Te duchas por la mañana.: You shower in the morning.
Se acuesta tarde.: He goes to bed late.

Most daily routine verbs are reflexive in Spanish: levantarse, ducharse, vestirse, acostarse, dormirse, despertarse.

Reciprocal Actions (Each Other)

Nos vemos cada semana.: We see each other every week.
Se quieren mucho.: They love each other a lot.
Se ayudan en clase.: They help each other in class.

Plural reflexive (nos, se) can mean each other instead of ourselves / themselves. Context decides, sometimes add a sí mismos (themselves) or el uno al otro (each other) for clarity.

Emphatic / Intensifier

Me lo comí todo.: I ate it all up.
Se durmió enseguida.: He fell asleep right away.
Se cayó.: He fell down.

Some verbs change or intensify meaning with se: comer (eat) → comerse (eat up), dormir (sleep) → dormirse (fall asleep), caer (fall) → caerse (fall down).

Verbs of Change (Become)

Me alegro de verte.: I'm glad to see you.
Se puso triste.: He became sad.
Te volverás loco.: You'll go crazy.

Many verbs of emotional or physical change use reflexive pronouns: alegrarse, ponerse, hacerse, volverse, convertirse.

How to Use Spanish Reflexive Pronouns

Match the Subject

The reflexive pronoun must match the subject of the verb. Yo → me, tú → te, él/ella/Ud./ellos/ellas/Uds. → se, nosotros → nos, vosotros → os.

Yo me levanto. Tú te levantas. Él se levanta. Nosotros nos levantamos.

I get up. You get up. He gets up. We get up.

Same form as object pronoun for 1st/2nd person (me, te, nos, os). Distinct se for 3rd person.

Placement Same as Object Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns go BEFORE the conjugated verb. They attach to infinitives, gerundios, and affirmative commands.

Me levanto. Voy a levantarme / Me voy a levantar. ¡Levántate!

I get up. I'm going to get up. Get up!

Same placement rules as direct / indirect object pronouns. With negative commands, pronouns go BEFORE the verb (No te levantes).

Reflexive Verbs Are Listed with -Se

In dictionaries, reflexive verbs end in -se: levantarse, vestirse, lavarse. Drop -se and add the matching reflexive pronoun before the conjugated form.

Lavarse → me lavo, te lavas, se lava, nos lavamos, os laváis, se lavan.

I wash myself, you wash yourself, he washes himself, etc.

Some verbs are reflexive in Spanish but not English: dormirse (fall asleep), divertirse (have fun), aburrirse (get bored).

Plural Reflexive Can Mean Each Other

Plural reflexive (nos, se) can express reciprocal actions, each other / one another. Context usually clarifies whether reflexive or reciprocal.

Nos vemos. (we see each other) / (we see ourselves)

We see each other. (most common reading)

If ambiguous, add a sí mismos (themselves) or el uno al otro (each other) for clarity.

Common Mistakes with Spanish Reflexive Pronouns

Incorrect: Yo levanto a las siete. — I get up at seven.

Correct: Yo me levanto a las siete. — I get up at seven.

Levantar (without reflexive) means to lift (something else). To get oneself up, you need the reflexive: me levanto.

Incorrect: Ellos me ven cada día. (intending each other) — They see each other every day.

Correct: Ellos se ven cada día. — They see each other every day.

For each other (reciprocal), the reflexive must match the subject. Ellos → se, not me. Se ven = they see each other.

Incorrect: Voy a me levantar. — I'm going to get up.

Correct: Voy a levantarme. or Me voy a levantar. — I'm going to get up.

With infinitives, the reflexive pronoun either attaches to the end (levantarme) or goes before the conjugated verb (me voy a levantar). Never sandwiched in the middle.

Reciprocal Se & Reflexive Variations

Reciprocal Use (Each Other)

Plural reflexive (nos, se) can express reciprocal actions, each other. Context typically disambiguates.

Nos amamos.: We love each other.
Se conocen desde la infancia.: They've known each other since childhood.

Add el uno al otro / la una a la otra for emphasis on reciprocity. Without it, context usually suffices.

Reflexive Verbs That Change Meaning

Some verbs change meaning when used reflexively. The reflexive form is more specific.

ir → irse: to go → to leave.: Me voy = I'm leaving (not just going).
dormir → dormirse: to sleep → to fall asleep.: Se durmió en clase = He fell asleep in class.
comer → comerse: to eat → to eat up.: Me comí toda la pizza = I ate the whole pizza.

Use the reflexive form when you want the more specific / intensified meaning.

Spanish Reflexive Pronouns FAQs

What are Spanish reflexive pronouns?: Me, te, se, nos, os, se. Pronouns that match the subject and show the action loops back on itself. Used with reflexive verbs (levantarse, lavarse), reciprocal actions (we see each other), and sometimes for emphasis.
How do you know if a Spanish verb is reflexive?: Dictionary entries end in -se: levantarse, lavarse, vestirse. When conjugating, drop -se and add the matching reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) BEFORE the verb.
What's the difference between reflexive and object pronouns?: Reflexive pronouns match the SUBJECT, yo / me, tú / te, él / se. Object pronouns refer to a different person. Me lavo (I wash myself), reflexive. Me lava (he washes me), object.
Can the plural reflexive se mean each other?: Yes. Nos vemos can mean we see each other (reciprocal) OR we see ourselves (reflexive). Context decides. For emphasis on reciprocity, add el uno al otro / la una a la otra.
How can I master Spanish reflexive pronouns?: Learn the common reflexive verbs (levantarse, ducharse, vestirse) as daily-routine vocabulary. Practice placement (before conjugated verb, attached to infinitive). Parrot's daily videos feature reflexive verbs constantly.