1.6.1 Reflexive pronouns
Reflexive pronouns are pronouns that indicate that the subject relates the action described on him- (respectively) herself. In English the reflexive pronouns are:
myself, yourself, himself, herself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
myself, yourself, himself, herself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
In Spanish there are certain verbs that are reflexive, meaning that they always refer (back) to the subject. One of them is lavarse (to wash oneself). Reflexive verbs can be recognised by the suffix -se. This suffix se has nothing to do with the changed indirect pronoun - it just looks the same.
a summary of the reflexives
| reflexive pronoun | reflexive pronoun | ||
| I wash myself. | myself | Yo me lavo | me |
| You wash yourself. | yourself | Tú te lavas | te |
| He washes himself. | himself | Él se lava | se |
| She washes herself. | herself | Ella se lava | se |
| We wash ourselves. | ourselves | Nosotros / Nosotras nos lavamos | nos |
| You wash yourselves | yourselves | Vosotros / Vosotras os laváis | os |
| They wash themselves. | themselves | Ellos / Ellas se lavan | se |
One thing that is quite useful to know is that the Spanish say: I call myself Smith (for My name is Smith).
Me llamo seńor Smith.
My name is Smith = Yo me llamo Smith
Your name is Smith = Tu te llamas Smith
His / Her name is Smith = Él / Ella se llama Smith
Our name is Smith = Nosotros nos llamamos Smith
Your name is Smith = Vosotros os llamáis Smith
Their name is Smith = Ellos se llaman Smith
Your name is Smith = Tu te llamas Smith
His / Her name is Smith = Él / Ella se llama Smith
Our name is Smith = Nosotros nos llamamos Smith
Your name is Smith = Vosotros os llamáis Smith
Their name is Smith = Ellos se llaman Smith
Furthermore it is useful to know that the reflexive pronoun is also used for forming the passive voice.
1.6.2 Formation of passive voice with reflexive verbs
In Spanish it is quite usual to use reflexive verbs as passive voice
Estaban invitadas las mujeres. = The women were invited
Se invitaban las mujeres. = The women were invited. (direct translation: The women invited themselves.)
Se invitaban las mujeres. = The women were invited. (direct translation: The women invited themselves.)
Mucho dinero fue gastado. = A lot of money was spent.
Se gastó mucho dinero. = A lot of money was spent. (direct translation: A lot of money spent itself.)
Se gastó mucho dinero. = A lot of money was spent. (direct translation: A lot of money spent itself.)
La casa fue vendida. = The house was sold.
Se vendió la casa. = The house was sold. (direct translation: The house sold itself.)
Se vendió la casa. = The house was sold. (direct translation: The house sold itself.)
Las casas fueron vendidas. = The houses were sold.
Se vendieron las casas. = The houses were sold. (direct translation: The houses sold themselves.)
Se vendieron las casas. = The houses were sold. (direct translation: The houses sold themselves.)
Those constructions might sound a bit funny but they are real and living language.