lávense

Lávense is a Spanish verb form used as a polite imperative for the second-person plural (ustedes). It functions to instruct a group of people to wash themselves or to wash a body part, often appearing on signs or formal instructions such as in healthcare or public spaces. The form is not a noun or a standalone verb by itself; it is a reflexive imperative derived from lavar (to wash).

Formation and usage details: lávense is formed from the present subjunctive of lavar, laven, combined with the reflexive pronoun se attached to the verb, producing lávense. The acute accent on the a helps preserve the correct stress pattern when the pronoun se is added. The corresponding informal or other person forms include lava or lavánse in different moods or pronouns, such as Lávense (usted) for a singular formal command or Lávense las manos for explicit instruction to wash one’s hands.

Common contexts: lávense appears frequently on public health signage, hospital notices, and official guidelines where a group is being instructed to perform washing actions. Examples include lávense las manos (wash your hands) or lávense antes de comer (wash before eating). It is most typical in formal or institutional language; in informal speech, speakers would use tú forms or other constructions.

Notes: The form is specifically plural and formal in Spanish grammar. For a singular formal command, the equivalent would be lávese (usted). For informal tú commands, forms such as lávate or lávate las manos are used, with different pronoun placement and accent rules. As a written form, lávense helps convey clear, authoritative instructions to multiple recipients.