Rodearse as a reflexive verb?

[AndyP]

Hi,
This is my first post on the forum.

I have a couple of questions regarding reflexive verbs, non-reflexive verbs & reflexive pronouns.
I am trying to understand the use of the reflexive pronoun and whether it is a must use.

(1) Reflexive Verb

'llamarse' is a reflexive verb so I am able to use the reflexive pronoun 'me' for myself.

me llamo Andrés
myself I call Andrés
I call myself Andrés

But am I allowed to dismiss the Pronoun and use 'mi mismo' (myself)?
yo llamo a mi mismo Andrés (Is this correct?)

(2) Non Reflexive Verb

I believe that 'Rodear' (to surround) is a non-reflexive verb. I cannot find 'rodearse'.
So am I able to use the reflexive pronoun 'me' or am I only able to use 'mi mismo'. Or are both allowed grammatically?

yo me rodeo con la gente amable
yo rodeo a mi mismo con la gente amable
(I surround myself with friendly people)

Many thanks

[wrholt]

Originally Posted by AndyP

Hi,
This is my first post on the forum.

I have a couple of questions regarding reflexive verbs, non-reflexive verbs & reflexive pronouns.
I am trying to understand the use of the reflexive pronoun and whether it is a must use.

(1) Reflexive Verb

'llamarse' is a reflexive verb so I am able to use the reflexive pronoun 'me' for myself.

me llamo Andrés
myself I call Andrés
I call myself Andrés

But am I allowed to dismiss the Pronoun and use 'mi mismo' (myself)?
yo llamo a mi mismo Andrés (Is this correct?)

(2) Non Reflexive Verb

I believe that 'Rodear' (to surround) is a non-reflexive verb. I cannot find 'rodearse'.
So am I able to use the reflexive pronoun 'me' or am I only able to use 'mi mismo'. Or are both allowed grammatically?

yo me rodeo con la gente amable
yo rodeo a mi mismo con la gente amable
(I surround myself with friendly people)

Many thanks

1. Llamarse is a "reflexive" verb (also called a "pronominal verb") when it means "to be called/named". The reflexive pronoun is required, even when adding "a sí mismo" for emphasis.

2. According to the entry for rodear in the Diccionario de la Lengua Española of the RAE, with some meanings "rodear" is also used pronominally (that is, with a reflexive pronoun). In your example the reflexive pronoun "me" is required, even if you include "a mí mismo" for emphasis.

[Glen]

Welcome to the forum AndyP.
Good question you posed, and one I myself still struggle with at times. Good advice from wrholt though. This is definitely the place to find answers!

[aleCcowaN]

yo me rodeo de gente simpática/amistosa

Llamar and llamarse are different verbs:

Me llamo Andrés. (llamarse ---> to respond to a certain name)
Llama/Llámame a Andrés. (llamar ---> to call -someone-)

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I agree with Wrholt; I will just add a couple of notes:

- I would avoid the article "la"; otherwise, you'd be surrounding yourself with all the friendly people in the world, or your reader should already know who this group of people is.
· (Yo) me rodeo de gente amable.


- "Rodearse" working as a reflexive is a valid construction:

· La ciudad se rodeó de bosques.
The city got surrounded by woods.

· Vamos a rodearnos de energía positiva.
Let's surround ourselves with positive energy.

· ¿Por qué siempre te rodeas de malas compañías?
Why are you always in bad company?


I also agree with Alec that "rodearse de" is preferred for people. I think we use "con" rather when we talk about an object:

- El castillo está rodeado con un muro de piedra.
The castle is surrounded by a stone wall.

- Rodearon el terreno con alambre de púas.
They surrounded the field with barbed wire.

- María rodeó a su novio con un abrazo.
María wrapped her boyfriend in a hug.


As for "llamarse", grammatically, what Wrholt said is right, you always have to use "me", and in general adding "a mí mismo" is usually only for emphasis. Yet, because of the kind of verb, saying "me llamo a mí mismo Andy" might mean that you gave yourself that name, which could be different from the one your parents originally gave you. This could complicate your social interaction if people believe Andy is not your real name.

[AndyP]

I am very pleased in choosing this forum to further my Spanish studies.
I did view other forums but, in my opinion, Tomísimo stood out with the format and the quality of information from the members.
Thank you all for your informative replies on this thread.
Andy