Arañarse

Arañarse is a pronominal Spanish verb meaning to scratch oneself with the nails or to be scratched by something. It can refer to making scratches on the skin, usually due to itching, rubbing against a rough surface, or an accidental contact. It can also describe an animal scratching itself. In many contexts, the reflexive form emphasizes that the action is performed on the subject.

Grammatical notes: Arañarse is the reflexive form of arañar, a regular -ar verb. Its conjugation follows standard patterns: present tense se araña, me araño, te arañas, nos arañamos, os arañáis, se arañan; preterite se arañó, me arañé, te arañaste, nos arañamos, os arañasteis, se arañaron. The verb can appear in transitive uses with a direct object when describing someone or something being scratched by another agent, as in me arañó la mejilla (a branch scratched my cheek).

Usage and examples:

- Me araño la cara al rascarme la picazón.

- El gato se araña la espalda rascándose contra el mueble.

- La rama me arañó la mejilla al pasar.

- Después de saltar, se arañaron las paredes al caer.

Etymology and related terms: Arañarse derives from arañar, related to the act of scratching with nails. Related verbs include rascar (to scratch or rub with effort) and arañar, used in non-reflexive forms to denote scratching done to another object or person.