Module 4: Mastering Reflexive Verbs, Pronouns, and Everyday Phrasal Structures

In this module, we’ll expand on your knowledge by introducing reflexive verbs, object pronouns, and important phrasal structures that will make your Spanish more natural and versatile. These concepts will help you talk about actions you do to yourself, as well as create more complex sentences.

Lesson 1: Reflexive Verbs

What Are Reflexive Verbs?

Reflexive verbs describe actions where the subject and object are the same, meaning the action is done to oneself.

  • Me (myself)
  • Te (yourself)
  • Se (himself/herself/itself)
  • Nos (ourselves)
  • Se (themselves)

Common Reflexive Verbs:

  • Levantarse (to get up)
  • Lavarse (to wash oneself)
  • Vestirse (to get dressed)
  • Ducharse (to shower)
  • Peinarse (to comb one’s hair)
  • Despertarse (to wake up)

Example:

  • Me levanto a las siete. – I get up at seven.
  • Ella se ducha por la mañana. – She showers in the morning.

Conjugation of Reflexive Verbs:

The reflexive pronoun must match the subject of the sentence.

  • Yo me levanto – I get up
  • Tú te vistes – You get dressed
  • Él / Ella se lava – He / She washes (himself/herself)

Lesson 2: Object Pronouns (Direct and Indirect)

Direct Object Pronouns:

These pronouns replace the object that directly receives the action of the verb.

  • Me – me
  • Te – you (informal)
  • Lo / La – him, her, it (masculine/feminine)
  • Nos – us
  • Los / Las – them (masculine/feminine)

Example:

  • Veo la película. – I see the movie.
  • La veo. – I see it.

Indirect Object Pronouns:

These pronouns replace the noun that receives the benefit or action of the verb.

  • Me – to me
  • Te – to you (informal)
  • Le – to him, her, it
  • Nos – to us
  • Les – to them

Example:

  • Doy el libro a Juan. – I give the book to Juan.
  • Le doy el libro. – I give him the book.

Combining Direct and Indirect Pronouns:

In sentences with both a direct and indirect object, the indirect object pronoun comes first.

  • Te lo doy. – I give it to you.
  • Nos las envió. – He sent them to us.

Lesson 3: Using "Gustar" and Similar Verbs

How "Gustar" Works:

Unlike English, where the subject likes something, in Spanish the thing liked is the subject and the person who likes it is the indirect object.

  • Me gusta – I like
  • Te gusta – You like (informal)
  • Le gusta – He/She likes
  • Nos gusta – We like
  • Les gusta – They like

Example:

  • Me gusta el cine. – I like the movies.
  • Nos gustan los deportes. – We like sports.

Verbs Similar to "Gustar":

  • Encantar (to love something)
  • Interesar (to interest)
  • Fascinar (to fascinate)
  • Molestar (to bother)

Example:

  • Me encanta viajar. – I love to travel.
  • A ella le molesta el ruido. – The noise bothers her.

Lesson 4: The Verb "Ser" vs. "Estar"

When to Use "Ser" (to be):

  • To describe permanent qualities:
    Ella es profesora. – She is a teacher.
    Soy de Guatemala. – I am from Guatemala.
  • To indicate the time or date:
    Es la una. – It’s one o’clock.
    Hoy es lunes. – Today is Monday.
  • To express nationality, origin, or profession:  Somos mexicanos. – We are Mexican.

When to Use "Estar" (to be):

  • To describe temporary states or conditions:
    Estoy cansado. – I’m tired.
    Están felices. – They are happy.
  • To indicate location:
    Estoy en casa. – I’m at home.
    La tienda está cerca. – The store is close.

Lesson 5: Expressing Possession

Possessive Adjectives:

  • Mi – My
  • Tu – Your (informal)
  • Su – His/Her/Their/Your (formal)
  • Nuestro/a – Our
  • Vuestro/a – Your (plural, informal, used in Spain)
  • Su – Their/Your (plural, formal)

Example:

  • Mi casa – My house
  • Tus amigos – Your friends
  • Nuestro coche – Our car

Possessive Pronouns:

  • Mío/a – Mine
  • Tuyo/a – Yours (informal)
  • Suyo/a – His/Hers/Theirs
  • Nuestro/a – Ours
  • Vuestro/a – Yours (plural, informal, Spain)

Example:

  • La casa es mía. – The house is mine.
  • El libro es suyo. – The book is his/hers/theirs.

Lesson 6: Using Prepositions

Common Prepositions:

  • En – In / On
  • A – To / At
  • De – From / Of
  • Con – With
  • Sin – Without
  • Sobre – On / About

Example:

  • La llave está en la mesa. – The key is on the table.
  • Voy a la tienda. – I’m going to the store.
  • Ella está con su madre. – She is with her mother.

Module 4: Review

By the end of this module, you will have mastered reflexive verbs, object pronouns, and essential grammatical structures like gustar and the difference between ser and estar. You’ll also be able to express possession, use prepositions, and understand key phrasal structures used in everyday conversations.