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Spanish (Spain) • Level 1 • GRAMMAR

present: se verbs

💡 Grammar Rule

Pronominal Verbs: Using "Se", Reflexives, and Prepositions

In Spanish, many verbs are accompanied by a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se). These are often called pronominal verbs. While they look similar, they function in three distinct ways: reflexive actions, essential pronominal usage, and verbs that require specific prepositions.

1. The Pronouns

Unlike English, the pronoun changes depending on who is speaking. Here is the pattern for the present tense:

  • (Yo) me + verb — (I)
  • (Tú) te + verb — (You, singular informal)
  • (Él/Ella/Usted) se + verb — (He/She/You, formal)
  • (Nosotros/as) nos + verb — (We)
  • (Vosotros/as) os + verb — (You all, informal in Spain)
  • (Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes) se + verb — (They/You all)

2. Reflexive Verbs (Action Done to Oneself)

The most literal use of these pronouns is reflexive. This means the subject performs the action on themselves. In English, we often use "myself," "yourself," or simple verbs like "to shower."

Lavarse (To wash oneself)

  • Yo me lavo las manos. (I wash my hands.)
  • Tú te lavas la cara. (You wash your face.)

3. Verbs that Change Meaning or require "Se"

Some verbs require the pronoun to make sense or to change the meaning entirely. These are not strictly "reflexive" (you aren't calling yourself names; you "are called" a name).

Llamarse (To be named / To call oneself)

  • ¿Cómo te llamas? (What is your name?)
  • Ella se llama María. (Her name is María.)

4. Pronominal Verbs with Prepositions

A very common group of these verbs must be followed by a specific preposition (like de, a, con, en) to connect to the object. You must memorize the preposition along with the verb.

Acordarse de (To remember)

  • No me acuerdo de su nombre. (I don't remember his name.)
  • Vosotros os acordáis de la fiesta. (You all remember the party.)

Quejarse de (To complain about)

  • El cliente se queja del servicio. (The customer complains about the service.)
What is your name?
¿Cómo te llamas?
My name is Sara.
Me llamo Sara.
What time do you get up?
¿A qué hora te levantas?
I get up at seven.
Me levanto a las siete.
My father shaves every morning.
Mi padre se afeita cada mañana.
Really? He is very disciplined.
¿De verdad? Es muy disciplinado.
Do you shower at night?
¿Te duchas por la noche?
No, I shower in the morning.
No, me ducho por la mañana.
We are leaving now.
Nos vamos ahora.
Already? It’s very early!
¿Ya? ¡Es muy pronto!
How does your grandmother feel today?
¿Cómo se siente tu abuela hoy?
She feels a bit tired.
Se siente un poco cansada.
Do you remember the address?
¿Os acordáis de la dirección?
Yes, we remember it well.
Sí, nos acordamos bien.
Look, the children are washing their hands.
Mira, los niños se lavan las manos.
They are very good.
Son muy buenos.
What do you do for a living?
¿A qué se dedica usted?
I work as a doctor.
Me dedico a la medicina.
Ana puts on makeup for the party.
Ana se maquilla para la fiesta.
She always looks very pretty.
Siempre está muy guapa.
Where are we meeting?
¿Dónde nos encontramos?
We meet at the park entrance.
Nos encontramos en la entrada del parque.
Do you stay here in summer?
¿Os quedáis aquí en verano?
No, we stay at the beach house.
No, nos quedamos en la casa de la playa.
My neighbor complains about everything.
Mi vecino se queja de todo.
How annoying!
¡Qué pesado!
I worry about my exams.
Me preocupo por mis exámenes.
Don't worry, you study a lot.
No te preocupes, estudias mucho.
Do you have fun at school?
¿Te diviertes en la escuela?
Yes, I have a lot of fun with my friends.
Sí, me divierto mucho con mis amigos.
Maria and Luis are getting married soon.
María y Luis se casan pronto.
Yes, they are getting married in June.
Sí, se casan en junio.
You sit down here.
Usted se sienta aquí.
Thank you very much.
Muchas gracias.
I always forget the keys.
Siempre me olvido de las llaves.
You have to pay more attention.
Tienes que prestar más atención.
What time do the kids go to bed?
¿A qué hora se acuestan los niños?
They go to bed at nine.
Se acuestan a las nueve.
Does she put on a coat?
¿Ella se pone un abrigo?
Yes, it's very cold outside.
Sí, hace mucho frío fuera.
Do you brush your hair before leaving?
¿Te peinas antes de salir?
Yes, I brush my hair in the bathroom.
Sí, me peino en el baño.
Why does Pedro leave so early?
¿Por qué se va Pedro tan pronto?
He wakes up very early for work.
Se despierta muy temprano para trabajar.

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