Search from various English teachers...
Tom
When to use reflexive pronouns?
Question rewritten per help from "Clara (Blue)".
When I have the option of using a reflexive pronoun, when should I use it?
Te quiero hablar
--OR--
Quiero hablar contigo
Thanks again, "Clara (Blue)" for the help in phrasing my question correctly!
Mar 10, 2019 3:56 PM
Answers · 4
1
The only thing missing for this to be correct is that, just like in English, after have as an auxiliary there's a participle. "Debí haberte hablado antes/ Debí haber hablado contigo antes". That said, they carry different meanings. The first implies "to you". (I should have talked to you before) so either there's something you have to tell them or you haven't spoken in a while... The second means "with you", so you are saying there's something you should have discussed. I hope this helps!
March 10, 2019
Hi again, Tom!
To try answering your question: un pronombre reflexivo is only when the action affects the subject or the sentence. For example: yo me peino el pelo (I brush my hair), tú te peinas el pelo (you brush your hair). The one doing and receiving the action are the same.
They're easily mistaken with the personal pronouns for the indirect complement, because they read exactly the same: me, te, le/se, os, nos, les/ se
What you are using in your sentences is an indirect complement pronoun, so it's equivalent to "to you" or "to (person)".
"Te" would be equivalent to "a ti" but "Quiero hablar a ti" it's /not/ a natural sentence. (However, Quiero hablarte a ti, is correct. A ti emphasises the person I want to talk to).
Contigo has the sense of "with you". It carries a different nuance.
March 10, 2019
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Tom
Language Skills
English, American Sign Language (ASL), Spanish, Turkish
Learning Language
English, American Sign Language (ASL)
Articles You May Also Like

How to Ask for a Raise or Promotion in English
9 likes · 8 Comments

The Key to Learning a Language Faster
29 likes · 8 Comments

Why "General English" is Failing Your Career (An Engineer’s Perspective)
30 likes · 12 Comments
More articles
