VerbyGoSpanish Conjugation

Learn Reflexive E → I in the Spanish present tense

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E → I

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Step 1 · Learn

Understand this topic.

Read the explanation and examples, then continue when the pattern is clear.

Irregular reflexive present · E → I

E → I reflexive verbs in the Spanish present tense

Selected -IR pronominal verbs change a stressed e to i in the boot forms.

Nosotros and vosotros keep e: me visto, but nos vestimos; se despide, but os despedís.

vestirseto get dresseddesvestirseto get undresseddespedirseto say goodbye · despedirse derendirseto give up / surrenderservirseto serve oneselfrepetirseto repeat / recurmedirseto measure oneself / try onderretirseto meltteñirseto dye one's hair / become colored
Pronoun + boot-shaped E → I change

Use e → i in the stressed boot forms, preserve e with nosotros and vosotros, and place the matching pronoun before the verb.

Subject or verbPatternExample
yome + conjugated formme visto
túte + conjugated formte vistes
él / ella / ustedse + conjugated formse viste
nosotros / nosotrasnos + conjugated formnos vestimos
vosotros / vosotrasos + conjugated formos vestís
ellos / ellas / ustedesse + conjugated formse visten
1. Build two coordinated parts

Choose the reflexive or pronominal pronoun that agrees with the subject, then conjugate the base verb. The subject pronoun is often optional; me, te, se, nos or os is normally essential to the intended meaning.

Me despierto temprano.I wake up early.
Nos entendemos bien.We understand each other well.
2. Read the complete construction

A pronominal verb is not created by translating oneself word for word. Learn its natural meaning, required preposition and common context as one unit.

Me acuerdo de la dirección.I remember the address.
Se niega a firmar.He or she refuses to sign.
3. Subject pronouns remain optional

Me siento bien and Yo me siento bien are both complete. If the interface already supplies yo, write only me siento in the blank.

4. Use the complete form

The pronoun cannot be separated from the target meaning: visto means I dress something; me visto means I get dressed.

Me visto antes de desayunar.I get dressed before breakfast.
Vestimos al niño.We dress the child.
5. Keep the unchanged persons

Use nos vestimos, os despedís, nos servimos and os rendís. These forms keep e even though the other persons use i.

Se sirve café.He or she serves coffee.
Nos servimos café.We serve ourselves coffee.
6. Meanings and connectors matter

Despedirse normally uses de. Rendirse means to give up or surrender. Medirse can mean to measure oneself or try on an item. Repetirse can describe something that happens again.

Se despide de sus amigos.She says goodbye to her friends.
La situación se repite.The situation repeats itself.
7. Common mistakes
Yo me vesto rápido.Yo me visto rápido.

The stressed e changes to i.

Nosotros nos vistimos temprano.Nosotros nos vestimos temprano.

Nosotros keeps e.

Ella despide de Ana.Ella se despide de Ana.

The pronominal construction requires se.

Me despido Ana.Me despido de Ana.

Despedirse requires de.

El hielo se derrite lentamente.El hielo se derrite lentamente.

This is already correct; do not add a subject pronoun unnecessarily.

8. A reliable method
  1. Identify the real subject.
  2. Choose me, te, se, nos or os.
  3. Remove -se and identify the base verb.
  4. Apply the correct stem, special or spelling pattern.
  5. Restore any required preposition.
  6. Read the complete phrase for natural meaning and agreement.

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