Lección 3: Los verbos reflexivos

Many verbs can be used with and without a reflexive pronoun depending upon who receives the action.

a. El artista maquilla a Úrsula.

The artist is putting make-up on Úrsula.

b. Úrsula se maquilla.

Ursula is putting on make-up.

a. Gloria lava la ropa.

Gloria is washing clothes.

b. Los niños se lavan las manos.

The children are washing their hands.

Notice that in example A, the people doing the action are not doing it to themselves; therefore, the reflexive pronoun is not necessary. However, in example B the people are doing the action to themselves, and so the reflexive pronoun is necessary.

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