A2 Portuguese GrammarReflexive Verbs
Learn Portuguese reflexive verbs where the action reflects back on the subject. Master reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, vos, se), their placement in sentences, and common reflexive verbs like lavar-se, levantar-se, and sentir-se. Understand when Portuguese uses reflexive forms that English doesn't require.
1Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns indicate that the subject performs an action on itself. In Portuguese, these pronouns are: me (myself), te (yourself, informal), se (himself/herself/yourself formal/itself/themselves), nos (ourselves), vos (yourselves). The infinitive form lists the pronoun attached with a hyphen: lavar-se (to wash oneself).
Reflexive Pronouns
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun | Example Verb |
|---|---|---|
| eu | me | eu lavo-me |
| tu | te | tu lavas-te |
| você/ele/ela | se | ele lava-se |
| nós | nos | nós lavamo-nos |
| vocês/eles/elas | se | eles lavam-se |
Examples
Eu levanto-me às sete horas.
I get up at seven o'clock.
levantar-se = to get up (reflexive)
Ela veste-se rapidamente.
She gets dressed quickly.
vestir-se = to get dressed
Nós sentamo-nos à mesa.
We sit down at the table.
sentar-se = to sit down
Eles divertem-se muito.
They have a lot of fun.
divertir-se = to have fun
2Pronoun Placement
In European Portuguese, reflexive pronouns typically follow the verb in affirmative sentences (enclitic position), connected with a hyphen. However, they come before the verb (proclitic) after negative words, question words, certain conjunctions (que, quando, se), and adverbs. In Brazilian Portuguese, proclisis is more common in all positions.
Pronoun Position Rules
| Context | Position | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | After verb | Chamo-me Ana. |
| Negative | Before verb | Não me chamo Ana. |
| Question word | Before verb | Como te chamas? |
| After que/quando/se | Before verb | Espero que te divirtas. |
Examples
Não me lembro do nome dele.
I don't remember his name.
não triggers proclisis (me before verb)
Como te sentes hoje?
How do you feel today?
como triggers proclisis
Ela sempre se levanta cedo.
She always gets up early.
sempre triggers proclisis
Deito-me tarde aos fins de semana.
I go to bed late on weekends.
affirmative = enclisis (after verb)
3Common Reflexive Verbs
Many daily routine verbs are reflexive in Portuguese. These include: acordar-se (wake up), levantar-se (get up), lavar-se (wash oneself), vestir-se (get dressed), pentear-se (comb one's hair), deitar-se (go to bed), sentar-se (sit down), chamar-se (be called). Some verbs are only reflexive in Portuguese, not in English.
Daily Routine Reflexive Verbs
| Infinitive | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| acordar-se | to wake up | Acordo-me cedo. |
| levantar-se | to get up | Levanto-me às sete. |
| lavar-se | to wash oneself | Lavo-me de manhã. |
| vestir-se | to get dressed | Visto-me depressa. |
| deitar-se | to go to bed | Deito-me tarde. |
| chamar-se | to be called | Chamo-me Pedro. |
Examples
Como te chamas?
What's your name?
chamar-se = to be called (reflexive)
As crianças deitam-se às nove.
The children go to bed at nine.
deitar-se = to go to bed
Ela penteia-se em frente ao espelho.
She combs her hair in front of the mirror.
pentear-se = to comb one's hair
Preciso de me vestir.
I need to get dressed.
reflexive with infinitive after preposition
4Reflexive vs Non-Reflexive
Many Portuguese verbs can be used both reflexively and non-reflexively with different meanings. Lavar means 'to wash (something)', while lavar-se means 'to wash oneself'. Chamar means 'to call (someone)', while chamar-se means 'to be called'. The reflexive adds the meaning of doing the action to oneself.
Reflexive vs Non-Reflexive Comparison
| Non-Reflexive | Meaning | Reflexive | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| lavar | to wash (sth) | lavar-se | to wash oneself |
| chamar | to call | chamar-se | to be called |
| levantar | to lift/raise | levantar-se | to get up |
| sentar | to seat (sb) | sentar-se | to sit down |
Examples
Lavo o carro. / Lavo-me de manhã.
I wash the car. / I wash myself in the morning.
lavar (object) vs lavar-se (oneself)
Chamei a Maria. / Chamo-me João.
I called Maria. / My name is João.
chamar (someone) vs chamar-se (be called)
Sentei o bebé. / Sentei-me no sofá.
I seated the baby. / I sat on the sofa.
sentar (someone) vs sentar-se (oneself)
Acordei o meu filho. / Acordei-me tarde.
I woke up my son. / I woke up late.
acordar (someone) vs acordar-se (oneself)