The same verb can describe an action on yourself or on someone else.
The idea
Use me, te, se, nos or os when the subject acts on themselves. Without a reflexive pronoun, a direct object can name another person or thing.
Examples
- Me lavo antes de desayunar.I wash myself before breakfast.
- Lavo el coche en el jardín.I wash the car in the garden.
- Ella se peina frente al espejo.She combs her hair in front of the mirror.
- Ella peina a su hijo.She combs her son’s hair.
- Nos vestimos para la fiesta.We get dressed for the party.
- El padre viste al bebé.The father dresses the baby.
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Watch out
Do not add a reflexive pronoun just because a person is involved: check who receives the action.
Try it yourself
Complete the sentence. Completa la frase. Yo ___ lavo antes de dormir.
Show answer or example answer
me
me refers back to the speaker.
Complete the sentence. Completa la frase. La madre lava ___ niño.
Show answer or example answer
al
al introduces the child as the person being washed; it combines a and el.
Complete the sentence. Completa la frase. Ella ___ viste sola.
Show answer or example answer
se
se refers back to the woman getting dressed.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Complete the sentence. Completa la frase. Yo ___ lavo antes de dormir.
Complete the sentence. Completa la frase. La madre lava ___ niño.
Complete the sentence. Completa la frase. Ella ___ viste sola.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe washing yourself and washing a bicycle.