Javea Grapevine Issue 178 - LARGE FONT EDITION | Page 64

Te lavas las manos – you wash your hands.

If the phrase contains only the conjugated verb, the pronoun has to move to the beginning,
as shown in the table.
However, if there is more than one verb, the pronoun an either be literally stuck to the
end of the full form of a verb, or a gerund (ING), or moved to the beginning before the
conjugated verb.
Using DUCHARSE (to shower oneself)
Estará duchandose más tarde, Jorge. / Se estará duchando más tarde, Jorge
Jorge will be showering (himself) later
Both are grammatically correct, & neither is habitually used more than the other.

Using DESPERTARSE (to wake oneself)
No queremos despertarnos tan temprano mañana /
No nos queremos despertar tan temprano mañana
We don’t want to wake (ourselves) so early tomorrow
If we don’t use the reflexive verb, it isn’t clear as to whom we don’t want to wake!

Using PINTARSE (to paint oneself)
Se habían pintado las uñas y los labios en color rojo antes de salir, las chicas.
The girls had painted their nails & lips red, before going out.