Spanish reflexive pronouns

Reflexive pronouns (pronombres reflexivos) indicate that someone or something is performing an action on or for itself.

Examples: 

• Cada mañana me ducho antes de irme a la oficina. (Every morning I shower [myself] before going to the office.)
• Clara se enfadó porque no la invitaron a su boda. (Clara got angry because they did not invite her to their wedding.)

Reflexive pronoun forms

Examples: 

• Me corté las uñas. (I cut my nails.)
• ¿Te has arreglado ya? (Have you already got ready?)
• Se lavan las manos. (They are washing their hands.)
• Nos despertamos muy tarde. (We woke up very late.)
• ¿Os habéis aburrido esta tarde? (Have you got bored this afternoon?)

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Structure 

Reflexive pronouns are part of reflexive verbs (verbos reflexivos) and they are generally placed before them. 

The reflexive pronoun matches the subject of the verb in both number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third).

The subject and object of the verb generally refer to the same entity.

Example: 

• Yo me baño. (I bathe myself.)
• Él se arrepintió de lo que hizo. (He regretted what he did.)

Sometimes the object which receives the action may be different but it refers to something which belongs to the subject (e.g. part of the body).

  Example: 

Lucía se cortó un dedo con el cuchillo. (Lucía cut her finger with a knife.)

Uses

Placement 

Reflexive pronouns generally precede verbs (both simple and compound ones).

Examples: 

Mi novio se ha afeitado y ahora parece un niño. (My boyfriend shaved himself and now he looks like a child.)

Anyway, direct object pronoun placement depends on the conjugated form of the verb.

   Pay attention to the following cases: 

1. negative and affirmative commands
2. infinitive
3. gerund

1. Placement in commands

With negative commands, the pronoun precedes the verb which refers to the command. 

Example: 

¡No te preocupes! (Don't worry!)

With affirmative commands, attach the pronoun to the verb which indicates the command. 

Example: 

¡Lávate* las manos! (Wash your hands!)

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* If the stressed syllable of the verb is the next-to-last one (not counting the pronoun), add the accent mark.

2. Placement with infinitive forms

When used with infinitive forms, the pronoun may occur after the verb and it is attached to it. 

Example: 

Acabo de ducharme. (I have just showered myself.)

 It occurs before the conjugated form of a verb which precedes the infinitive as well. 

   Example: 

Me acabo de levantar. (I have just got up.)

3. Placement with gerund forms

When used with gerund forms, the pronoun may occur after the verb and it is attached to it. 

Example: 

Estoy maquillandome. (I am putting on makeup.)

 It occurs before the conjugated form of a verb which precedes the gerund as well. 

   Example: 

Mi padre se está afeitando. (My father is shaving himself.)

How to describe your daily routine with reflexive verbs