In Spanish, many verbs can be used in both pronominal (reflexive) and non-pronominal (non-reflexive) forms. These are commonly referred to as pronominal and non-pronominal verbs. However, their meanings often change significantly. Below are six pairs of verbs that highlight the differences in meaning and usage between pronominal and non-pronominal forms.

Pronominal and Non-Pronominal Verbs

Pronominal and non-pronominal verbs are a key feature of the Spanish language. Mastering them allows learners to express subtle differences in meaning, intention, and subjectivity. This article explores six pairs of such verbs to illustrate how their usage differs in real-life contexts. Paying attention to the form of the verb is essential for clear and correct communication. Understanding when to use these forms will help learners speak more naturally and fluently.

Ir vs. Irse

Ir refers to the action of going somewhere, while irse emphasizes the act of leaving or departing from a place.

Voy a la universidad todos los días de la semana.

I go to university every day of the week.

Me voy de aquí. No soporto el ruido.

I’m leaving this place. I can’t stand the noise.

Dormir vs. Dormirse

Dormir means to sleep in general, while dormirse refers specifically to the process of falling asleep.

No puedo dormir, tengo insomnio.

I can’t sleep, I have insomnia.

Carlos está agotado después de un largo día de trabajo y se duerme en el sofá.

Carlos is exhausted after a long day at work and he falls asleep on the sofa.

Llamar vs. Llamarse

Llamar means to call, while llamarse is used to express one’s name.

Yo quiero llamar a Julia por su cumpleaños.

I want to call Julia for her birthday.

Yo me llamo Miriam. Y tú, ¿cómo te llamas?

My name is Miriam. And you? What’s your name?

Quedar vs. Quedarse

Quedar is used for arrangements or meetings, while quedarse means to stay in a place. This pair of pronominal and non-pronominal verbs shows how meaning can shift with reflexive use.

Yo quedo con mis amigos el viernes por la noche.

I meet my friends on Friday night.

Gabriela y yo no nos quedamos en el restaurante después de la cena.

Gabriela and I didn’t stay at the restaurant after dinner.

Llevar vs. Llevarse

Llevar refers to transporting something, while llevarse implies taking something away, often with a sense of possession. Here are some Spanish idioms with llevar.

Llevo la cena a la casa de mi abuela.

I take dinner to my grandmother’s house.

Me llevé un recuerdo del viaje.

I took a souvenir from the trip.

Pasar vs. Pasarse

Pasar can mean to spend time or to pass, while pasarse can mean to go too far or to exceed a limit.

Mi hijo tiene un examen importante y pasa mucho tiempo estudiando.

My son has an important exam and he spends a lot of time studying.)

¿Por qué no me escuchaste? Te pasaste con la sal.

Why didn’t you listen to me? You overdid it with the salt.

Poner vs. Ponerse

Poner means to place or put something somewhere, while ponerse is used to express a change in state or condition.

¿Puedes poner más tomate en la salsa, por favor?

Can you put more tomato in the sauce, please?

Yo prefiero no tomar café. Me pone nerviosa.

I prefer not to have coffee. It gets me nervous.

Exercises

Pronominal and non-pronominal verbs often add a layer of subjectivity or change in perspective, so careful attention to their use will improve both comprehension and expression. Now, let’s do some exercises to practice these pairs of pronominal and non-pronominal verbs.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

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VerbsGrammarPronouns