3.08 - ¡Azúcar! Celia Cruz - Estructuras
Español 30
Reflexive Pronouns
You know all there is to know about object pronouns, but what about reflexive pronouns?
Just like with object pronouns, reflexive pronouns are attached to affirmative (tú/usted) commands.
Ejemplo:
Ponerse → Ponte / Póngase el abrigo.
Lavarse → Lávate / Lávese las manos.
Sentarse → Siéntate / Siéntese (sit down)
*Note: You will often need to use an accent mark to maintain the original stress of the verb. If you are stressing the third syllable from the end, add an accent mark on the stressed vowel.
And the reflexive pronoun will go in front of negative (tú/usted) commands.
Ejemplo:
Ponerse → No te pongas / No se ponga el abrigo.
Lavarse → No te laves / No se lave las manos.
Sentarse → No te sientes / No se siente
Self-Check
For each verb, think of what the formal/usted command form would be. Roll your mouse over the Respuesta link to check your answer.
| Verb | Command form |
| sentarse (affirmative) | Respuesta |
| apurarse (negative) | Respuesta |
| prepararse (affirmative) | Respuesta |
| quedarse (negative) | Respuesta |
Nosotros reflexive commands
I know you've heard the expression ¡Vámonos! and that you are probably wondering why it is spelled like that, so I will explain why. Here is the explanation: It is a Nosotros reflexive command.
Reflexive pronouns with nosotros commands work just like the tú/usted commands. There is just one spelling change—the spelling drops -s.
When you have a reflexive verb (like irse, used above in ¡Vámonos!), and you are using it in a nosotros command, when the command is affirmative, you'll attach the "nos" to the end of the command. That would give you "¡Vámosnos!" which is a tongue twister to say. Therefore, the -s at the end of the verb is dropped before adding "nos".
Example:
Ducharse → duchémonos
Vestirse → vistámonos
*Note: You will often need to use an accent mark to maintain the original stress of the verb. If you are stressing the third syllable from the end, add an accent mark on the stressed vowel. This dropping of the ?"s only occurs in the affirmative since in the negative, you must put the reflexive pronoun in front of the command.
Example:
Ducharse → No nos duchemos.
Vestirse → No nos vistamos.
| Verb | Command form |
| lavarse (affirmative) | Respuesta |
| enojarse (negative) | Respuesta |
| alegrarse (affirmative) | Respuesta |
| enfermarse (negative) | Respuesta |
Let's try mixing the usted and the nosotros reflexive commands together. Remember, they are both the same. In the negative, the reflexive pronoun goes before the command. In the affirmative, it attaches to the command. The only difference between the two is that in the nosotros affirmative, you need to drop the -s before adding "nos".
¿Comprendiste?Lanza esta actividad para practicar. Aviso / Warning: The accents are tough to remember, but you need them in this activity. |