Reflexive Pronouns

01

The Reflexive Pronouns

Each subject pronoun has a corresponding reflexive pronoun. In Brazilian Portuguese, the most common set is:

• eu → me (myself)
• você, ele, ela, a gente → se (yourself, himself, herself, oneself)
• nós → nos (ourselves)
• vocês, eles, elas → se (yourselves, themselves)

The pronoun te (yourself) is used with tu, which is common in some regions of Brazil.

• Eu me levanto cedo.

  I get myself up early.

• Ela se olha no espelho.

  She looks at herself in the mirror.

• Nós nos preparamos para a festa.

  We get ourselves ready for the party.

02

Pronoun Placement

In Brazilian Portuguese, the reflexive pronoun is most commonly placed before the conjugated verb.

• Eu não me lembro do nome dele.

  I don't remember his name.

• Você se sente bem hoje?

  Do you feel well today?

In more formal writing or when giving a direct command, the pronoun is attached to the end of the verb with a hyphen.

• Sente-se, por favor.

  Sit down, please. (Formal command)

• Os meninos vestiram-se rapidamente.

  The boys dressed themselves quickly. (Formal writing)

03

Reciprocal Actions

With plural subjects (nós, vocês, eles, elas), these pronouns can also indicate a reciprocal action, meaning "each other" or "one another".

• Nós nos ajudamos com o dever de casa.

  We help each other with the homework.

• Eles se abraçaram no aeroporto.

  They hugged each other at the airport.

04

Other Common Uses of 'Se'

The pronoun se has other important functions beyond reflexive and reciprocal actions.

Impersonal Statements

Se is used to make general statements where the subject is undefined, similar to "one," "you," or "they" in English. The verb is always in the third-person singular.

• Fala-se português no Brasil.

  One speaks Portuguese in Brazil. / Portuguese is spoken in Brazil.

• Precisa-se de mais tempo.

  More time is needed.

Passive Voice

Se can also form a passive construction. In this case, the verb agrees in number (singular or plural) with the noun that follows it.

• Aluga-se esta casa.

  This house is for rent.

• Alugam-se apartamentos.

  Apartments are for rent.