Reflexive verbs in Spanish indicate that the subject performs an action on itself. These verbs are accompanied by reflexive pronouns that match the subject. When using reflexive verbs in the present progressive tense, the reflexive pronoun must be placed correctly in relation to the conjugated verb “estar” and the gerund. Also, remember that “present progressive” is used to describe actions that are happening “right now.”
To form the present progressive tense with reflexive verbs, follow these steps:
The reflexive pronoun can be placed either before the conjugated form of “estar” or attached to the end of the gerund. Both placements are grammatically correct, though placing the pronoun before “estar” is more common in spoken Spanish.
| Singular | Plural |
First Person | me (myself) | nos (ourselves) |
Second Person | tú (yourself - Juana/Pedro) | os (yourself informal – used mainly in Spain) |
Third Person | se (himself) se (herself) se (yourself Sra./Sr. García) | se (they masculine/mixed) se (they feminine) se (you all) |
Here are some common reflexive verbs and examples of their use in the present progressive tense. Notice that you have to add an accent to the verb if you add the reflexive pronoun to the end of the gerund.
Levantarse (to get oneself up)
Yo | me estoy levantando estoy levantándome I am getting up (right now) | Nosotros | nos estamos levantando estamos levantándonos We are getting up (right now) |
Tú (Juana, Juan) | te estás levantando estás levantándote You are getting up (right now) | Vosotros (informal Spain) | os estáis levantando estáis levantándoos You are getting up (right now) |
Él/Ella/Ud. (Sra./Dr. García) | se está levantando está levantándose You are getting up (right now) | Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | se están levantando están levantándose You are getting up (right now) |
Yo | me estoy poniendo estoy poniéndome I am putting on (right now) | Nosotros | nos estamos poniendo estamos poniéndonos We are putting on (right now) |
Tú (Juana, Juan) | te estás poniendo estás poniéndote You are putting on (right now) | Vosotros (informal Spain) | os estáis poniendo estáis poniéndoos You are putting on (right now) |
Él/Ella/Ud. (Sra./Dr. García) | se está poniendo está poniéndose You are putting on (right now) | Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | se están poniendo están poniéndose You are putting on (right now) |
Yo | me estoy sintiendo estoy sintiéndome I am feeling (right now) | Nosotros | nos estamos sintiendo estamos sintiéndonos We are feeling (right now) |
Tú (Juana, Juan) | te estás sintiendo estás sintiéndote You are feeling (right now) | Vosotros (informal Spain) | os estáis sintiendo estáis sintiéndoos You are feeling (right now) |
Él/Ella/Ud. (Sra./Dr. García) | se está sintiendo está sintiéndose You are feeling (right now) | Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | se están sintiendo están sintiéndose You are feeling (right now) |
Using reflexive verbs in the present progressive tense allows you to describe actions that you are performing on yourself (or others on themselves) in real-time. By practicing these forms, you’ll enhance your ability to express ongoing actions in Spanish. Keep practicing, and enjoy your journey of learning Spanish!