Spanish conjugation explanation
Reflexive imperative (affirmative)
<p>When constructing affirmative commands with reflexive verbs using the
<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/22/" target="_blank">Imperative</a>
, strict placement rules apply. Unlike other tenses where pronouns may precede the verb, in affirmative commands, <strong>the reflexive pronouns must be attached to the end</strong> of the verb form to create a single word.</p><p>Common examples using
<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/esp/levantarse/" title="Click to see conjugations for levantarse" target="_blank">levantarse</a>
(<span style="font-style: italic;">to get up</span>):</p><ul>
<li>
<div>(tú) <span style="font-style: italic;">levanta</span> + <span style="font-style: italic;">te</span> → <span class="green_emphasis">levántate</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div>(usted) <span style="font-style: italic;">levante</span> + <span style="font-style: italic;">se</span> → <span class="green_emphasis">levántese</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Three Key Rules</div>
<p>Attaching pronouns increases the length of the word and affects syllable structure. To maintain correct pronunciation and spelling, follow these three rules:</p>
<div><strong>1. The Accent Mark Rule</strong></div>
<p>When adding the pronoun extends the word to <strong>3 or more syllables</strong>, you must virtually always add an <strong>accent mark</strong> to the stressed vowel to preserve the original pronunciation. This usually falls on the third-to-last syllable.</p>
<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">
<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/esp/lavarse/" title="Click to see conjugations for lavarse" target="_blank">lavarse</a>
: <span style="font-style: italic;">lava</span> + <span style="font-style: italic;">te</span> → <span class="green_emphasis">lávate</span> (<span style="font-style: italic;">wash yourself</span>) </div><br />
<div><strong>2. The Nosotros Rule (-s drop)</strong></div>
<p>For the <em>nosotros</em> form, you must <strong>drop the final S</strong> of the verb before attaching the pronoun <strong style="font-style: italic;">-nos</strong>. An accent mark is always required.</p>
<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">
<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/esp/sentarse/" title="Click to see conjugations for sentarse" target="_blank">sentarse</a>
: <span style="font-style: italic;">sentemos</span> → <span style="font-style: italic;">sentemo</span> + <span style="font-style: italic;">nos</span> → <span class="green_emphasis">sentémonos</span> (<span style="font-style: italic;">let's sit down</span>) </div><br />
<div><strong>3. The Vosotros Rule (-d drop)</strong></div>
<p>For the <em>vosotros</em> form, you must <strong>drop the final D</strong> before attaching the pronoun <strong style="font-style: italic;">-os</strong>.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>For <strong>-ar</strong> and <strong>-er</strong> verbs, no accent mark is needed.</p>
<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">
<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/esp/lavarse/" title="Click to see conjugations for lavarse" target="_blank">lavarse</a>
: <span style="font-style: italic;">lavad</span> → <span style="font-style: italic;">lava</span> + <span style="font-style: italic;">os</span> → <span class="green_emphasis">lavaos</span></div></li>
<li>
<p>For <strong>-ir</strong> verbs, you must add an <strong>accent mark to the i</strong> to preserve the pronunciation.</p>
<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">
<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/esp/decidirse/" title="Click to see conjugations for decidirse" target="_blank">decidirse</a>
: <span style="font-style: italic;">decidid</span> → <span style="font-style: italic;">decidi</span> + <span style="font-style: italic;">os</span> → <span class="green_emphasis">decidíos</span></div></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> The verb
<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/esp/irse/" title="Click to see conjugations for irse" target="_blank">irse</a>
is the only exception; it keeps the <strong style="font-style: italic;">d</strong> in the <em>vosotros</em> command: <span class="green_emphasis">idos</span>.</p><div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Examples in Context</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div>
<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/esp/lavarse/" title="Click to see conjugations for lavarse" target="_blank">lavarse</a>
(tú)</div><div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Lávate</span> las manos. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Wash your hands.</span>)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/esp/sentarse/" title="Click to see conjugations for sentarse" target="_blank">sentarse</a>
(usted)</div><div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Siéntese</span>, por favor. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Sit down, please.</span>)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/esp/irse/" title="Click to see conjugations for irse" target="_blank">irse</a>
(vosotros)</div><div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">¡<span class="green_emphasis">Idos</span> a casa! (<span style="font-style: italic;">Go home!</span>)</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Here are the full conjugation tables for exemplary <em>-ar</em>, <em>-er</em>, and <em>-ir</em> reflexive verbs. Note the visual accent marks on the P/3 forms (<em>se</em>) and the S/2 form (<em>te</em>):</p>
<div class="study_conjugations_tense_container">
<a class="study_conjugations_tense_label box_label tense_box no_dark_mode " href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/22/" target="_blank" title="Open tense guide">Imperativo afirmativo</a>
<div class="study_conjugations_conjugation conjugations_table two_columns">
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">---</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(tú)
</span>prepárate
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(usted)
</span>prepárese
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(nosotros)
</span>preparémonos
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(vosotros)
</span>preparaos
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(ustedes)
</span>prepárense
</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_tense_container">
<a class="study_conjugations_tense_label box_label tense_box no_dark_mode " href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/22/" target="_blank" title="Open tense guide">Imperativo afirmativo</a>
<div class="study_conjugations_conjugation conjugations_table two_columns">
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">---</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(tú)
</span>escóndete
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(usted)
</span>escóndase
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(nosotros)
</span>escondámonos
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(vosotros)
</span>escondeos
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(ustedes)
</span>escóndanse
</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_tense_container">
<a class="study_conjugations_tense_label box_label tense_box no_dark_mode " href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/22/" target="_blank" title="Open tense guide">Imperativo afirmativo</a>
<div class="study_conjugations_conjugation conjugations_table two_columns">
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">---</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(tú)
</span>decídete
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(usted)
</span>decídase
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(nosotros)
</span>decidámonos
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(vosotros)
</span>decidíos
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="study_conjugations_forms conjugation_forms">
<div class="conjugation_form">
<span><span class="study_conjugations_pronoun conjugation_pronoun">
(ustedes)
</span>decídanse
</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>Be careful not to confuse this with
<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/spanish_imperative_affirmative_vs_negative/" target="_blank">negative commands</a>
, where the pronoun comes <em>before</em> the verb.</p>