Los niños se lavaban (unos a otros).
The children were washing one another.
Los refugiados se ayudaron mutuamente.
The refugees helped one another.23.4 Inherently reflexive verbs
Some verbs are always reflexive, although they have no literal reflexive meaning.
arrepentirse: Se arrepintió de su falta de ánimo.
He/she repented of his/her lack of courage.
jactarse:Se jacta de ser muy listo.
He boasts of being very clever.23.5 The reflexive corresponding to an English intransitive
Many verbs in English can be used both transitively (capable of taking a direct
object) and intransitively (not capable of taking a direct object); this is less
common in Spanish, where intransivity is more frequently signalled by a
reflexive form.
El sol secó la ropa. (transitive)
The sun dried the clothes. (transitive)
La ropa se secó al sol. (reflexive)
The clothes dried in the sun. (intransitive)
Juan cerró la puerta. (transitive)
Juan closed the door. (transitive)
La puerta se cerró.(reflexive)
The door closed. (intransitive)
Levanté la tabla. (transitive)
I raised the plank. (transitive)
Me levanté a los ocho. (reflexive)
I got up at eight. (intransitive)23.6 Reflexive verbs with prepositional objects
Many reflexive verbs have prepositional objects:
Me alegro de tu éxito.
I’m delighted at your success.
Me asusté con su audacia.
I was frightened by his/her audacity.
¿Te olvidaste de decírmelo?
Did you forget to tell me?Reflexive verbs with prepositional objects 23.6