DELE A1 Guide: Reflexive Verbs – Daily Routine and Personal Care
Want to practice first? Try a General Reflexive Verbs Quiz!
Key Takeaways
- Learn what reflexive verbs are and how to use them
- Master daily routine reflexive verbs
- Understand reflexive pronoun placement
- Learn essential personal care vocabulary
- Crucial for DELE A1 daily routine descriptions
Welcome to your complete guide to Spanish reflexive verbs, essential for describing daily routines, personal care, and actions you do to yourself. These verbs are fundamental for the DELE A1 speaking and writing sections.
What are Reflexive Verbs?
Reflexive verbs (verbos reflexivos) are actions that the subject does to themselves. They always include reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) and are especially common when talking about daily routines and personal care.
Reflexive Pronouns Chart
Reflexive Pronouns Table
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | me | me levanto |
| Tú | te | te levantas |
| Él/Ella/Usted | se | se levanta |
| Nosotros/Nosotras | nos | nos levantamos |
| Vosotros/Vosotras | os | os levantáis |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | se | se levantan |
DELE A1 Tip: Reflexive pronouns always match the subject. If the subject is “yo,” use “me”; if it’s “ellos,” use “se.” This is essential for exam success!
Common Reflexive Verbs for Daily Routine
Morning Routine Verbs
| Spanish Verb | English | Conjugation Example |
|---|---|---|
| despertarse | to wake up | me despierto |
| levantarse | to get up | me levanto |
| ducharse | to shower | me ducho |
| vestirse | to get dressed | me visto |
| cepillarse | to brush | me cepillo |
Evening Routine Verbs
| Spanish Verb | English | Conjugation Example |
|---|---|---|
| acostarse | to go to bed | me acuesto |
| lavarse | to wash | me lavo |
| peinarse | to comb hair | me peino |
| afeitarse | to shave | me afeito |
| maquillarse | to put on makeup | me maquillo |
Complete Daily Routine Examples
Morning Routine Description
- Me despierto a las siete (I wake up at seven)
- Me levanto inmediatamente (I get up immediately)
- Me ducho y me visto (I shower and get dressed)
- Me cepillo los dientes (I brush my teeth)
Evening Routine Description
- Me lavo la cara (I wash my face)
- Me pongo el pijama (I put on my pajamas)
- Me acuesto a las once (I go to bed at eleven)
Reflexive Verb Conjugation Patterns
Regular Reflexive Verbs
- lavarse (to wash oneself): me lavo, te lavas, se lava, nos lavamos, os laváis, se lavan
- levantarse (to get up): me levanto, te levantas, se levanta, nos levantamos, os levantáis, se levantan
Stem-Changing Reflexive Verbs
- despertarse (e→ie): me despierto, te despiertas, se despierta, nos despertamos, os despertáis, se despiertan
- vestirse (e→i): me visto, te vistes, se viste, nos vestimos, os vestís, se visten
DELE A1 Exam Practice
Speaking Section Examples
- Describe your morning: “Por la mañana me levanto temprano”
- Talk about personal care: “Me ducho todos los días”
- Discuss bedtime: “Me acuesto a las diez”
- Describe routines: “Me cepillo los dientes tres veces al día”
Writing Section Examples
- Write about your daily routine
- Describe what you do in the morning and evening
- List your personal care habits
- Write about family members’ routines
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting reflexive pronouns: ❌ “levanto temprano” ✅ “me levanto temprano”
- Wrong pronoun placement: ❌ “me quiero levantar” ✅ “quiero levantarme“
- Incorrect pronoun: ❌ “se levanto” ✅ “me levanto”
Special Reflexive Constructions
With Body Parts
When using reflexive verbs with body parts, use definite articles instead of possessive adjectives:
- Me lavo las manos (I wash my hands)
- Te cepillas los dientes (You brush your teeth)
- Se peina el pelo (She combs her hair)
Practice with Our Free Spanish Tools
Master reflexive verbs with our interactive tools:
Click here to open our Spanish Conjugation Tool!
Practice reflexive verb conjugations and daily routine sentences.
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of reflexive verbs?
Take our DELE A1 Reflexive Verbs Prep Quiz here to confirm you’re ready for this part of the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A1 Journey?
- Ready for more daily vocabulary? Study Daily Routine Vocabulary
- Need time expressions? Review Time and Schedule Guide
- Practice all A1 grammar? Take a Full A1 Grammar Test
Good luck with your DELE A1 preparation!
