DELE A2 Guide: Spanish Reflexive Verbs and Pronouns
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Key Takeaways
- Understand what reflexive verbs are and when to use them
- Master reflexive pronoun placement in different sentence structures
- Learn essential daily routine reflexive verbs for DELE A2
- Practice with real-life examples and common exam scenarios
Welcome to your complete guide to Spanish Reflexive Verbs. This essential grammar topic is crucial for talking about daily routines, personal care, and actions you do to yourself. Mastering reflexive verbs will significantly improve your performance in the DELE A2 speaking and writing sections.
What Are Reflexive Verbs?
Reflexive verbs indicate that the subject does the action to themselves. You can recognize them by “-se” at the end of the infinitive (lavarse, vestirse, despertarse).
Reflexive Pronouns
| Subject | Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | me | me lavo |
| tú | te | te lavas |
| él/ella/usted | se | se lava |
| nosotros | nos | nos lavamos |
| vosotros | os | os laváis |
| ellos/ustedes | se | se lavan |
Daily Routine Reflexive Verbs – DELE A2 Essential List
Morning Routine:
- despertarse (to wake up)
- levantarse (to get up)
- lavarse (to wash oneself)
- ducharse (to shower)
- vestirse (to get dressed)
- afeitarse (to shave)
- maquillarse (to put on makeup)
Evening Routine:
- acostarse (to go to bed)
- dormirse (to fall asleep)
- desvestirse (to get undressed)
Other Common Reflexive Verbs:
- llamarse (to be called/named)
- sentarse (to sit down)
- divertirse (to have fun)
- enojarse (to get angry)
- preocuparse (to worry)
Reflexive Verb Conjugation – Present Tense
Regular Reflexive Verbs:
| Subject | Lavarse (to wash) | Vestirse (to dress) |
|---|---|---|
| yo | me lavo | me visto |
| tú | te lavas | te vistes |
| él/ella | se lava | se viste |
| nosotros | nos lavamos | nos vestimos |
| vosotros | os laváis | os vestís |
| ellos | se lavan | se visten |
Stem-changing Reflexive Verbs:
- despertarse (ie): me despierto, te despiertas, se despierta…
- acostarse (ue): me acuesto, te acuestas, se acuesta…
- vestirse (i): me visto, te vistes, se viste…
Pronoun Placement Rules
1. Before Conjugated Verbs:
- “Me levanto a las siete.” (I get up at seven.)
- “Se ducha por la mañana.” (He showers in the morning.)
2. Attached to Infinitives:
- “Voy a levantarme temprano.” (I’m going to get up early.)
- “Quiero ducharme ahora.” (I want to shower now.)
3. Attached to Gerunds (-ando/-iendo):
- “Está lavándose las manos.” (He is washing his hands.)
- “Están vistiéndose.” (They are getting dressed.)
DELE A2 Practical Examples
Daily Routine Description:
- “Por la mañana, me despierto a las siete, me levanto y me ducho.”
- “Antes de dormir, me cepillo los dientes y me acuesto.”
Questions about Routines:
- “¿A qué hora te levantas?” (What time do you get up?)
- “¿Se ducha por la mañana o por la noche?” (Do you shower in the morning or at night?)
Using Reflexive Verbs with Time Expressions:
- “Me acuesto a las once.” (I go to bed at eleven.)
- “Nos levantamos temprano los lunes.” (We get up early on Mondays.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t forget the reflexive pronoun
- Remember stem changes in reflexive verbs
- Don’t confuse “levantar” (to lift) with “levantarse” (to get up)
- Practice pronoun placement with different verb forms
DELE A2 Exam Tips
- Speaking Section: Use reflexive verbs when describing your daily routine
- Writing Section: Show correct pronoun placement in sentences
- Listening Section: Recognize reflexive verbs in conversations about daily activities
- Key Topics: Morning/evening routines, personal habits, self-care activities
Special Cases:
- Lavarse los dientes (to brush one’s teeth)
- Lavarse las manos (to wash one’s hands)
- Ponerse la ropa (to put on clothes)
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to master reflexive verbs?
– Take our DELE A2 Reflexive Verbs Quiz here to ensure you’re prepared for the exam.
– Take more Reflexive verbs Quizzes in other levels here!
What’s Next in Your DELE A2 Journey?
- Need more verb practice? Review DELE A2 Present Tense
- Ready for pronouns? Study DELE A2 Object Pronouns
- Want related topics? Learn DELE A2 Informal Commands
- Practice all A2 grammar? Return to DELE A2 Grammar Hub
Looking for a deeper dive?
This guide covers the essentials for the DELE A2 exam. If you want to explore more advanced uses, a wider range of reflexive verbs for emotions and reciprocal actions, and nuanced pronoun placement rules, check out our complete guide: Spanish Reflexive Verbs: The Ultimate Guide
