Learning a new language can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and Portuguese is no exception. One of the unique aspects of Portuguese grammar that learners often encounter is the use of reflexive verbs. Reflexive verbs can add depth and nuance to your language skills, but they can also be a bit tricky to master. In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of reflexive verb usage in Portuguese grammar to help you become more comfortable and confident in your language journey.
Understanding Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs are verbs where the subject performs an action on itself. In other words, the action of the verb reflects back on the subject. In English, reflexive verbs are usually accompanied by reflexive pronouns like “myself,” “yourself,” “himself,” “herself,” “itself,” “ourselves,” “yourselves,” and “themselves.” For example, “I taught myself to play the piano.”
In Portuguese, reflexive verbs are similarly accompanied by reflexive pronouns. However, the structure and usage can differ significantly from English. Reflexive verbs in Portuguese are often identified by the presence of the reflexive pronoun “se” attached to the infinitive form of the verb, such as “lavar-se” (to wash oneself).
Reflexive Pronouns in Portuguese
Before diving into the usage of reflexive verbs, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the reflexive pronouns in Portuguese. These pronouns are used to indicate that the subject and the object of the verb are the same. Here are the reflexive pronouns in Portuguese:
– Eu: me
– Tu: te
– Ele/Ela/Você: se
– Nós: nos
– Vós: vos
– Eles/Elas/Vocês: se
Conjugating Reflexive Verbs
To conjugate a reflexive verb in Portuguese, you need to follow these steps:
1. **Identify the infinitive form** of the verb.
2. **Remove the “se”** from the end of the infinitive form.
3. **Conjugate the verb** according to the subject.
4. **Add the appropriate reflexive pronoun** before the verb.
Let’s take the verb “lavar-se” (to wash oneself) as an example and conjugate it in the present tense:
– Eu me lavo (I wash myself)
– Tu te lavas (You wash yourself)
– Ele/Ela/Você se lava (He/She/You wash(es) himself/herself/yourself)
– Nós nos lavamos (We wash ourselves)
– Vós vos lavais (You wash yourselves)
– Eles/Elas/Vocês se lavam (They/You wash themselves/yourselves)
Notice how the reflexive pronoun changes according to the subject of the verb.
Common Reflexive Verbs
Here are some common reflexive verbs in Portuguese that you may encounter:
– **Lavar-se**: to wash oneself
– **Vestir-se**: to dress oneself
– **Pentear-se**: to comb one’s hair
– **Barbear-se**: to shave oneself
– **Maquiar-se**: to put on makeup
– **Banhar-se**: to bathe oneself
– **Deitar-se**: to lie down
– **Levantar-se**: to get up
– **Sentar-se**: to sit down
– **Divertir-se**: to enjoy oneself, to have fun
Reflexive Verbs with Different Meanings
One interesting aspect of reflexive verbs in Portuguese is that some verbs can have different meanings when used reflexively versus non-reflexively. Understanding these differences can help you use these verbs more accurately in various contexts.
Examples of Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive Usage
1. **Lembrar** vs. **Lembrar-se**
– Lembrar: to remind
– Eu lembro você do compromisso. (I remind you of the appointment.)
– Lembrar-se: to remember
– Eu me lembro do compromisso. (I remember the appointment.)
2. **Chamar** vs. **Chamar-se**
– Chamar: to call
– Eu chamo o meu amigo. (I call my friend.)
– Chamar-se: to be called, to be named
– Eu me chamo Ana. (My name is Ana.)
3. **Encontrar** vs. **Encontrar-se**
– Encontrar: to find
– Eu encontro as chaves. (I find the keys.)
– Encontrar-se: to meet, to be located
– Nós nos encontramos no café. (We meet at the café.)
4. **Sentir** vs. **Sentir-se**
– Sentir: to feel (something external, like a touch)
– Eu sinto o vento. (I feel the wind.)
– Sentir-se: to feel (a state or emotion)
– Eu me sinto feliz. (I feel happy.)
Placement of Reflexive Pronouns
The placement of reflexive pronouns in Portuguese sentences can vary depending on the verb tense and sentence structure. Here are some general rules to help you navigate this aspect of Portuguese grammar:
In Affirmative Sentences
In affirmative sentences, the reflexive pronoun is usually placed before the conjugated verb. For example:
– Eu me levanto cedo. (I get up early.)
– Eles se divertem na festa. (They have fun at the party.)
With Infinitive and Gerund Forms
When using reflexive verbs in the infinitive or gerund forms, the reflexive pronoun can be attached to the end of the verb or placed before the auxiliary verb. For example:
– Eu vou me levantar cedo. / Eu vou levantar-me cedo. (I am going to get up early.)
– Eles estão se divertindo na festa. / Eles estão divertindo-se na festa. (They are having fun at the party.)
In Negative Sentences
In negative sentences, the reflexive pronoun is placed between the negation word “não” and the conjugated verb. For example:
– Eu não me levanto cedo. (I do not get up early.)
– Eles não se divertem na festa. (They do not have fun at the party.)
In Questions
In questions, the reflexive pronoun is placed before the conjugated verb. For example:
– Você se levanta cedo? (Do you get up early?)
– Eles se divertem na festa? (Do they have fun at the party?)
In Imperative Sentences
In affirmative imperative sentences, the reflexive pronoun is attached to the end of the verb. In negative imperative sentences, the reflexive pronoun is placed before the conjugated verb. For example:
– Levanta-te cedo! (Get up early!)
– Não te levantes cedo! (Do not get up early!)
Special Considerations
There are some special considerations and exceptions to keep in mind when using reflexive verbs in Portuguese.
Pronominal Verbs
Pronominal verbs are verbs that are always used with reflexive pronouns, even though the action does not necessarily reflect back on the subject. These verbs are inherently reflexive and cannot be used without the reflexive pronoun. Here are some examples:
– **Arrepender-se**: to regret
– Eu me arrependo do que fiz. (I regret what I did.)
– **Queixar-se**: to complain
– Eles se queixam do serviço. (They complain about the service.)
– **Esforçar-se**: to make an effort
– Nós nos esforçamos para aprender português. (We make an effort to learn Portuguese.)
Reciprocal Actions
Reflexive pronouns can also be used to indicate reciprocal actions, where two or more subjects perform the same action on each other. For example:
– Eles se abraçam. (They hug each other.)
– Nós nos encontramos no parque. (We meet each other at the park.)
Idiomatic Expressions
There are several idiomatic expressions in Portuguese that use reflexive verbs. These expressions may not have a direct translation in English but are commonly used in everyday language. Here are a few examples:
– **Dar-se bem/mal com alguém**: to get along well/poorly with someone
– Eu me dou bem com meus colegas. (I get along well with my colleagues.)
– **Fazer-se de desentendido**: to play dumb
– Ele se faz de desentendido quando não quer trabalhar. (He plays dumb when he doesn’t want to work.)
– **Meter-se em confusão**: to get into trouble
– Ela sempre se mete em confusão. (She always gets into trouble.)
Practice Makes Perfect
As with any aspect of language learning, practice is key to mastering reflexive verbs in Portuguese. Here are some tips to help you practice and improve your understanding of reflexive verbs:
1. **Daily Practice**: Try to incorporate reflexive verbs into your daily conversations and writing exercises. The more you use them, the more natural they will become.
2. **Flashcards**: Create flashcards with reflexive verbs and their conjugations to help you memorize them.
3. **Listening and Reading**: Listen to Portuguese podcasts, watch Portuguese movies or TV shows, and read Portuguese books or articles. Pay attention to how reflexive verbs are used in context.
4. **Language Exchange**: Partner with a native Portuguese speaker for language exchange. Practicing speaking with a native speaker can help you gain confidence and improve your pronunciation.
5. **Grammar Exercises**: Complete grammar exercises and quizzes focused on reflexive verbs to reinforce your understanding.
Conclusion
Reflexive verbs are an integral part of Portuguese grammar, and understanding how to use them correctly can greatly enhance your language skills. By familiarizing yourself with reflexive pronouns, practicing conjugation, and paying attention to the placement of reflexive pronouns in different sentence structures, you can become more proficient in using reflexive verbs.
Remember that language learning is a journey, and it’s okay to make mistakes along the way. Keep practicing, stay curious, and enjoy the process of mastering reflexive verbs in Portuguese. Boa sorte! (Good luck!)
