Irregular verb pattern
Reflexive verbs
Verbs that express actions performed on oneself — conjugated with reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) that must agree with the subject.
The pattern rule
Reflexive verbs are identified by the pronoun se attached to the infinitive (e.g. levantarse). When conjugated, the se separates and changes to agree with the subject: me (yo), te (tú), se (él/ella), nos (nosotros), os (vosotros), se (ellos/ellas). The reflexive pronoun precedes the conjugated verb.
Example: levantar (to lift / to raise) — Present
Irregular forms are highlighted in red. Regular forms for comparison are shown in grey where they differ.
| Pronoun | Actual form | Regular would be |
|---|---|---|
| yo | levanto | ✓ |
| tú | levantas | ✓ |
| él/ella | levanta | ✓ |
| nosotros | levantamos | ✓ |
| vosotros | levantáis | ✓ |
| ellos/ellas | levantan | ✓ |
Frequently asked questions
What are reflexive verbs in Spanish?
Reflexive verbs express actions where the subject acts on itself. They are marked by se in the infinitive (levantarse — to get up) and conjugated with reflexive pronouns: me levanto, te levantas, se levanta, nos levantamos, os levantáis, se levantan.
Where does the reflexive pronoun go?
With a conjugated verb, the reflexive pronoun comes before the verb: me levanto, se llama. With an infinitive, it can attach to the end or precede the conjugated verb: voy a levantarme / me voy a levantar. With a gerund, it attaches to the end: estoy levantándome.
Can any verb be made reflexive?
Most transitive verbs can theoretically be used reflexively. Some verbs change meaning when reflexive (ir → irse: to leave; dormir → dormirse: to fall asleep). Others, like levantarse or ducharse, are almost exclusively used reflexively.
All 20 Reflexive verbs — ordered by frequency
Sorted by how commonly each verb appears in everyday Spanish. Start with rank #1 and work down.
Other irregular verb patterns
Practise these verbs with spaced repetition to actually remember them.