23 The reflexive
The reflexive has a large number of functions in Spanish.
NOTE The reflexive pronoun is different from the object pronoun only in the 3rd person and the
usted/ustedes forms, which have se as their unstressed reflexive pronoun and sí as their
stressed reflexive pronoun in both the sg. and pl. (see 8.2.1).
23.1 Literal reflexive
The reflexive pronoun refers to the subject of the verb.
Me defendí enérgicamente.
I defended myself energetically.
23.2 Reflexives with a conventionalized meaning
Some reflexives have a conventionalized meaning which is slightly different from a
literal reflexive meaning.
Me veo en dificultades.
I am (not literally ‘I see myself’) in difficulties.
Se llama Dolores.
Her name is (not literally ‘she calls herself’) Dolores.
23.3 Reciprocal reflexives
In the plural, the reflexive pronoun may have a reciprocal meaning (‘each other’, ‘one
another’).
Se escriben con frecuencia.
They frequently write to each other.
The sense is usually obvious from the context (in the above example, it is unlikely that
people would write to themselves), but if necessary, the phrase uno/a(s) a otro/a(s) or,
in formal style, an adverb such as mutuamente is added.
