In Spanish, a verb is truly reflexive when the subject and the object are the same person.
👉 The action returns to the subject.
🔹 Structure
Pronoun + verb
me
te
se
nos
os
se
🔹 Common true reflexive verbs
lavarse – to wash oneself
👉 Me lavo las manos.
ducharse – to take a shower
👉 Se ducha por la mañana.
peinarse – to comb one’s hair
👉 Me peino rápido.
vestirse – to get dressed
👉 Nos vestimos a las ocho.
afeitarse – to shave
👉 Se afeita todos los días.
🔹 How to check if a verb is truly reflexive
You can add:
a sí mismo/a
If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is reflexive.
✔️ Se lavó a sí mismo
✔️ Me peiné a mí mismo
🔹 Reflexive verbs with body parts
In Spanish, we normally use:
reflexive pronoun
definite article, not possessive
✔️ Me lavo las manos
❌ Me lavo mis manos
⚠️ Common learner mistake
❌ Lavo mis manos.
✅ Me lavo las manos.
🧠 Key idea
True reflexive verbs describe daily routines and personal care actions where:
the subject = the receiver of the action
🎯 Takeaway
If you can say “to oneself”, it’s a true reflexive verb.
