Pronominal verbs are verbs that need the reflexive pronoun se to be conjugated. Reflexive verbs and reciprocal verbs are both pronominal verbs, but not all pronominal verbs are reflexive or reciprocal.
Roberto se lava. Roberto washes himself.
Roberto is performing an action that is received by himself.
Roberto is the subject and the object of “his action.”
Lavarse is a reflexive verb.
Pepe y Pilar se abrazan.
Pepe is hugging Pilar and Pilar is hugging Pepe. Both Pepe and Pilar give and receive the same action simultaneously. Both are the subject and the object of the same action.
Abrazarse is a reciprocal verb. Two people are involved.
Roberto se lava. Roberto washes himself.
Roberto is performing an action that is received by himself.
Roberto is the subject and the object of “his action.”
Lavarse is a reflexive verb.
Pepe y Pilar se abrazan.
Pepe is hugging Pilar and Pilar is hugging Pepe. Both Pepe and Pilar give and receive the same action simultaneously. Both are the subject and the object of the same action.
Abrazarse is a reciprocal verb. Two people are involved.