Introduction
Spanish reflexive verbs can seem confusing at first, especially when they combine with prepositions. However, understanding this concept is essential for speaking and writing natural Spanish. Reflexive verbs indicate that the action is performed by the subject upon themselves, and when combined with prepositions, they create specific meanings and contexts. This beginner guide will break down reflexive verbs with prepositions into manageable pieces, showing you exactly how to use them correctly in everyday conversations and writing. By the end of this article, you will have a solid foundation for recognizing and using these structures confidently.
Understanding Reflexive Verbs
What Are Reflexive Verbs?
A reflexive verb is a verb where the action is performed by the subject upon themselves. In Spanish, reflexive verbs are always accompanied by a reflexive pronoun that matches the subject. The reflexive pronouns are: me (myself), te (yourself informal), se (himself/herself/yourself formal), nos (ourselves), os (yourselves informal plural), and se (themselves/yourselves formal plural).
For example, the verb levantarse means to get up or to lift oneself. When you say me levanto, you are saying I get myself up. The reflexive nature is built into the action itself, making it clear that the subject is both the doer and the receiver of the action.
How Reflexive Pronouns Work
Reflexive pronouns must agree with the subject of the sentence. This is crucial for correct grammar. Consider these examples:
Yo me despierto a las siete de la mañana. (I wake myself up at seven in the morning.)
Tú te cepillas los dientes después de comer. (You brush your teeth after eating.)
Ella se mira en el espejo. (She looks at herself in the mirror.)
Nosotros nos preparamos para salir. (We prepare ourselves to go out.)
Vosotros os sentáis en el sofá. (You all sit yourselves down on the sofa.)
Ellos se despiden de sus amigos. (They say goodbye to their friends.)
Notice how the pronoun changes based on the subject. This agreement is fundamental and non-negotiable in Spanish grammar.
Introduction to Prepositions with Reflexive Verbs
Why Combine Reflexive Verbs with Prepositions?
When you add a preposition to a reflexive verb, you are adding more specific information about direction, location, or relationship. Prepositions are small words that show relationships between other words, such as in, on, at, to, from, with, and for. In Spanish, common prepositions include a (to/at), de (of/from), en (in/on), con (with), para (for), por (by/for), and sin (without).
These prepositions modify the meaning of the reflexive verb, creating more nuanced expressions. For instance, arreglarse means to get ready, but arreglarse con means to make do with or to get by with something.
Common Reflexive Verbs with Prepositions
Reflexive Verbs Paired with A
The preposition a is one of the most frequently used prepositions with reflexive verbs. It often indicates direction or a target. Here are some common examples:
Acercarse a means to approach or to draw near to.
Me acerco a la ventana. (I approach the window.)
Dedicarse a means to dedicate oneself to.
Ella se dedica a la enseñanza. (She dedicates herself to teaching.)
Atreverse a means to dare to.
¿Te atreves a hablar en público? (Do you dare to speak in public?)
Asomarse a means to lean out of or to look out of.
Nos asomamos a la puerta. (We look out of the door.)
Reflexive Verbs Paired with De
The preposition de often indicates separation, origin, or composition. When paired with reflexive verbs, it frequently conveys the idea of getting rid of something or freeing oneself from something.
Deshacerse de means to get rid of.
Me deshago de ropa vieja. (I get rid of old clothes.)
Burlarse de means to make fun of.
No te burles de tus hermanos. (Do not make fun of your siblings.)
Olvidarse de means to forget.
Se olvida de las llaves. (He forgets about the keys.)
Preocuparse de means to worry about.
¿De qué se preocupa ella? (What does she worry about?)
Reflexive Verbs Paired with Con
The preposition con means with and indicates companionship, instrument, or manner. When used with reflexive verbs, it often describes how one does something or with whom.
Encontrarse con means to meet or to run into.
Me encuentro con mis amigos en el café. (I meet my friends at the café.)
Arreglarse con means to make do with or to get by with.
Se arregla con poco dinero. (He gets by with little money.)
Conformarse con means to be satisfied with or to settle for.
Nos conformamos con la oferta. (We settle for the offer.)
Quedarse con means to keep or to stay with.
¿Con quién te quedas? (Who are you staying with?)
Reflexive Verbs Paired with En
The preposition en typically means in or on and indicates location. With reflexive verbs, it often describes where something happens or what something is based on.
Basarse en means to be based on.
Mi opinión se basa en hechos. (My opinion is based on facts.)
Fijarse en means to notice or to pay attention to.
¿Te fijas en los detalles? (Do you notice the details?)
Meterse en means to get involved in or to get into.
No me meto en asuntos ajenos. (I do not get involved in other people’s affairs.)
Grammar Rules for Reflexive Verbs with Prepositions
Position of Reflexive Pronouns
The reflexive pronoun always comes before the conjugated verb. This rule is consistent across all tenses and forms. When you have a conjugated verb followed by an infinitive, the reflexive pronoun can go either before the conjugated verb or attached to the infinitive. Both options are correct, though placing it before the conjugated verb is more common in everyday speech.
Correct: Me voy a arreglar con esto. (I am going to make do with this.)
Also correct: Voy a arreglarme con esto. (I am going to make do with this.)
Conjugation of Reflexive Verbs
When conjugating a reflexive verb with a preposition, you conjugate the verb normally while keeping the reflexive pronoun in front. The preposition remains unchanged. Here is an example using the present tense of arreglarse con:
Yo me arreglo con poco dinero. (I get by with little money.)
Tú te arreglas con lo que tienes. (You get by with what you have.)
Él se arregla con su sueldo. (He gets by with his salary.)
Nosotros nos arreglamos con nuestros recursos. (We get by with our resources.)
Vosotros os arregláis bien. (You all get by well.)
Ellas se arreglan perfectamente. (They get by perfectly.)
Notice that the preposition con stays the same throughout the conjugation. Only the verb and pronoun change.
Practical Examples in Different Tenses
Present Tense
The present tense is the most common tense for everyday conversation. Here are some examples:
Me acerco a la puerta lentamente. (I approach the door slowly.)
¿Te atreveres a decir la verdad? (Do you dare to tell the truth?)
Nos asomamos a la ventana cada mañana. (We look out of the window every morning.)
Se burlan de sus compañeros. (They make fun of their classmates.)
Preterite Tense
The preterite tense describes completed actions in the past:
Me acerqué a ella y le hablé. (I approached her and spoke to her.)
¿Te atreviste a saltar? (Did you dare to jump?)
Nos olvidamos de traer los libros. (We forgot to bring the books.)
Se burlaron de la situación. (They made fun of the situation.)
Imperfect Tense
The imperfect tense describes past actions that were ongoing or habitual:
Me acercaba a la escuela todos los días. (I used to approach the school every day.)
Te preocupabas demasiado. (You used to worry too much.)
Nos fijábamos en los pequeños detalles. (We used to notice the small details.)
Se conformaban con poco. (They used to be satisfied with little.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pronoun Agreement Errors
One of the most common mistakes is using the wrong reflexive pronoun for the subject. Remember that each subject pronoun has a corresponding reflexive pronoun. Double-check that your pronoun matches your subject.
Incorrect: Yo te acerco a la puerta. (This implies someone else is approaching the door for you.)
Correct: Yo me acerco a la puerta. (I approach the door myself.)
Omitting the Reflexive Pronoun
Never omit the reflexive pronoun, even if it seems redundant in English. In Spanish, the reflexive pronoun is essential for expressing the reflexive nature of the action.
Incorrect: Acerco a la puerta. (This means I approach the door for someone else.)
Correct: Me acerco a la puerta. (I approach the door for myself.)
Placing the Pronoun After the Verb
In standard Spanish, the reflexive pronoun always comes before the conjugated verb in simple tenses, not after. Attaching it to the verb is only correct with infinitives or gerunds.
Incorrect: Acercome a la puerta. (Not standard Spanish.)
Correct: Me acerco a la puerta. (Correct.)
Also correct with infinitive: Voy a acercarme a la puerta. (I am going to approach the door.)
Practice Exercises
Fill in the Blanks
Complete these sentences with the correct reflexive pronoun:
1. Yo _____ dedico a la música.
2. Ellos _____ burlan de nosotros.
3. ¿Tú _____ atreveres a intentarlo?
4. Nosotras _____ olvidamos de la cita.
5. Ella _____ basa en evidencia.
Answers: 1. me, 2. se, 3. te, 4. nos, 5. se
Translation Practice
Translate these English sentences into Spanish:
1. I notice the mistakes. (Fijarse en)
2. They make fun of the joke. (Burlarse de)
3. We meet with our friends. (Encontrarse con)
4. She dedicates herself to art. (Dedicarse a)
5. You get by with what you have. (Arreglarse con)
Suggested answers:
1. Me fijo en los errores.
2. Se burlan de la broma.
3. Nos encontramos con nuestros amigos.
4. Ella se dedica al arte.
5. Te arreglas con lo que tienes.
Conclusion
Mastering reflexive verbs with prepositions is an important step in your Spanish learning journey. These structures appear frequently in everyday conversation and written Spanish, so understanding them will significantly improve your fluency. Remember that the key points are maintaining correct pronoun agreement, always placing the reflexive pronoun before the conjugated verb, and understanding how the preposition modifies the meaning. With consistent practice and attention to the rules outlined in this guide, you will soon use these structures confidently and naturally. Continue practicing with real Spanish texts and conversations, and do not hesitate to refer back to this guide whenever you need clarification on a particular structure or verb.
