Reflexive Verbs in Portuguese
Introduction
In Portuguese, reflexive verbs are used to indicate actions that a subject performs on themselves. These verbs are accompanied by reflexive pronouns, which help clarify that the action reflects back to the subject.
Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns in Portuguese change according to the subject of the sentence. Here is a table of reflexive pronouns:
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| Eu | me |
| Tu | te |
| Ele/Ela/Você | se |
| Nós | nos |
| Vós | vos |
| Eles/Elas/Vocês | se |
Common Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs are often used in daily routines and personal actions. Here are some common reflexive verbs in Portuguese:
- 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 apply makeup
- Deitar-se - to lie down
- Sentar-se - to sit down
- Lembrar-se - to remember
- Esquecer-se - to forget
- Sentir-se - to feel
Examples of Reflexive Verbs in Sentences
- Eu me lavo todos os dias.
- Tu te vestes rapidamente.
- Ela se penteia antes de sair.
- Nós nos deitamos cedo.
- Eles se sentem cansados.
Conjugation Example: "Lavar-se" (to wash oneself)
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Eu | Eu me lavo |
| Tu | Tu te lavas |
| Ele/Ela/Você | Ele/Ela/Você se lava |
| Nós | Nós nos lavamos |
| Vós | Vós vos lavais |
| Eles/Elas/Vocês | Eles/Elas/Vocês se lavam |
Key Points
- Reflexive verbs indicate that the subject is performing the action on themselves.
- The reflexive pronoun always matches the subject in both number and person.
- Reflexive verbs are essential in describing personal routines and actions.
Conclusion
Reflexive verbs are a crucial part of expressing personal actions in Portuguese. By using them correctly, you can convey clarity and precision in your communication. Practice using these verbs in your daily routines to become more familiar with their structure and usage.