1Module 5

Reflexive Verbs

Conjugação Pronominal Reflexa

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Key Concept

Portuguese reflexive verbs use pronoun clitics (-me, -te, -se, -nos, -se) that attach after the verb in affirmative sentences, but move before the verb after words like não, como, nunca, também, and só.
粵

Cantonese Speaker Tip

葡文反身動詞用代詞小詞（-me, -te, -se, -nos）表示「自己」。 廣東話用「自己」，葡文將代詞點在動詞前面或後面。

重點：肯定句將代詞放在動詞後面（levanto-me）； 否定詞、問句詞後將代詞放在動詞前面（não me levanto）。

In Portuguese, reflexive verbs indicate that the subject performs the action on itself. The reflexive pronoun can appear after the verb (with a hyphen) in affirmative statements, or before the verb when preceded by trigger words such as question words, negation, or certain adverbs. This pronoun placement rule is a key feature of European Portuguese grammar.

Key Phrase — Try saying it!

Como te chamas? — Chamo-me Maria.

1Pronoun After the Verb (Enclisis)

In affirmative sentences, the reflexive pronoun attaches after the verb with a hyphen. Note: with nós, the final -s of the verb is dropped before -nos (sentamos → sentamo-nos).

PronounReflexive FormMeaning
Eulevanto-meI get up
Tudeitas-teYou lie down (informal)
Ele / Ela / Vocêlava-seHe/She washes (oneself)
Nóssentamo(s)-nosWe sit down
Eles / Elas / Vocêssentam-seThey sit down

2Pronoun Before the Verb (Proclisis)

When certain words precede the verb, the reflexive pronoun moves before the verb (proclisis). Common triggers: question words (como, onde, quando), negation (não, nunca), and adverbs (também, só, já, sempre).

Como

Como te chamas?

What is your name?

Não

Não se deita tarde?

Don't you go to bed late?

Nunca

Nunca me deito cedo.

I never go to bed early.

Também

Também nos levantamos cedo.

We also get up early.

Só

Só se sentam no sofá.

They only sit on the sofa.

Common Reflexive Verbs

to be called / to call oneself
to get up
to go to bed / to lie down
to wash oneself
to sit down
to get dressed
to comb one's hair
to meet / to find oneself
to introduce oneself
to say goodbye

Examples

senta-se
He sits on the sofa.
The teacher is called Laura.
I get up late.
lavam-se
You (pl.) wash every day.
deitamo-nos
We go to bed late.
chama
What is the teacher's name?
deito
I don't go to bed now because I have to work.
levantam-se
They get up early.
Is your name Pedro?
No, my name is Fernando.
I always get up early.
levanto
I never get up late.
veste-se
She gets dressed quickly.
encontramo-nos
We meet at the café.
despedem-se
They say goodbye to their friends.
chamas?
What is your name? (informal)
My name is Maria.
levanta
She doesn't get up early.
penteio-me
I comb my hair in the morning.
sentas-te
You sit at the table.
deitam
They don't go to bed early.
lavamo-nos
We wash every day.
apresenta-se colegas.
She introduces herself to her colleagues.
vestes-te
You get dressed quickly.
You (pl.) sit on the sofa.
levanto
I also get up early.
sentam
They only sit on the sofa.
deitamos
We never go to bed late.
chamo
My name is not Pedro.
Let's sit down for a bit.
sentamos
We also sit at the table.
deito-me
I go to bed at eleven o'clock.
Verbos Reflexivos — Summary of Reflexive VerbsEnclisis — Pronoun AFTER verb (affirmative sentences)PronounReflexive FormEulevanto-meTudeitas-teEle / Ela / Vocêlava-seNóssentamo-nosEles / Elassentam-seProclisis Triggers — Pronoun BEFORE verbTriggerExampleNão(negation)Não me deito tardeComo(question)Como te chamas?Nunca(never)Nunca me deito cedoTambém(also) + Só, Já, SempreTambém nos levantamosAffirmative → pronoun AFTER verb | Negative / Question → pronoun BEFORE verb
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