What is reflexives verbs en français

Hola Martine

Reflexive verbs are used in different ways. In a low level students learn that we use them when the subject is performing an action on themselves, not on somebody else or something else. This happens with lots of verbs to do with hygiene, for example to have a shower, to brush your teeth, to comb your hair...

Me ducho, me lavo los dientes, me peino...

They are also often used with actions that are to do with states of mind, for example to say to calm yourself, to get bored, to cheer up...

Me calmo, me aburro, me animo...

The pronoun "se" is also used for reciprocal actions, i.e. actions that people do to each other:

Se enamoraron - they fell in love [with each other]

Se ayudaban - they helped each other

Se dan la mano - they hold hands [each other's hands]

Sometimes it is idiomatic, so they are simply used with a reflexive pronoun to have a specific meaning. Some examples are:

Me estoy arreglando para salir esta noche - I'm getting dressed to go out tonight.

El niño se cayó del columpio - The boy fell off the swing.

We have a few lessons involving reflexive pronouns. You can see a few of those here (scroll down and you´ll see the links to the lessons)

Saludos

Inma

Hola Martine

What's your question? Would you like to know about reflexive verbs in Spanish or about estar and ser? It's not very clear. Can you clarify please?

Saludos

Inma