In Portuguese, reflexive verbs play an important role in expressing actions that are performed by the subject onto themselves. These verbs are used when the subject of the sentence is both the doer and the receiver of the action. Understanding reflexive verbs is essential for anyone learning Portuguese, as they are commonly used in everyday communication. In this introduction, we will explore the concept of reflexive verbs in Portuguese, their formation, and provide examples to help you grasp their usage.
What are Reflexive Verbs?
Reflexive verbs are verbs that express actions that the subject performs on themselves. They indicate that the subject is both the doer and the recipient of the action. In Portuguese, reflexive verbs are formed by adding the reflexive pronoun to the verb, which agrees with the subject. The reflexive pronouns in Portuguese are “me” (myself), “te” (yourself), “se” (himself/herself/itself), “nos” (ourselves), and “se” (themselves). The reflexive pronoun is placed before the verb and can change depending on the subject of the sentence.
Formation of Reflexive Verbs
To form reflexive verbs in Portuguese, we add the appropriate reflexive pronoun to the verb. Let’s take the verb “lavar” (to wash) as an example:
Eu me lavo (I wash myself)
Tu te lavas (You wash yourself)
Ele/Ela se lava (He/She washes himself/herself)
Nós nos lavamos (We wash ourselves)
Eles/Elas se lavam (They wash themselves)
As you can see, the reflexive pronoun changes depending on the subject of the sentence. It is essential to remember the correct pronouns for each subject to use reflexive verbs accurately.
Usage of Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive verbs are used in a variety of situations in Portuguese. They often convey actions related to personal care, daily routines, and emotional states. Here are some common examples:
a) Personal Care:
Eu me penteio todas as manhãs. (I comb my hair every morning.)
Ela se maquia antes de sair. (She applies makeup before leaving.)
b) Daily Routines:
Nós nos levantamos cedo todos os dias. (We get up early every day.)
Eles se vestem rapidamente para a escola. (They get dressed quickly for school.)
c) Emotional States:
Eu me sinto feliz hoje. (I feel happy today.)
Ela se preocupa com a saúde da família. (She worries about the family’s health.)
Reflexive Verbs in the Past Tense
When conjugating reflexive verbs in the past tense, the reflexive pronoun is placed before the auxiliary verb “ter” (to have) or “estar” (to be) and must agree with the subject. Let’s use the verb “divertir-se” (to have fun) as an example:
Eu me diverti (I had fun)
Tu te divertiste (You had fun)
Ele/Ela se divertiu (He/She had fun)
Nós nos divertimos (We had fun)
Eles/Elas se divertiram (They had fun)
Reflexive Verbs in the Imperative Mood
In the imperative mood, reflexive verbs have a specific structure. The reflexive pronoun is attached to the end of the verb, preceded by a hyphen. Let’s use the verb “sentar-se” (to sit down) as an example:
Sente-te (Sit down – informal)
Sente-se (Sit down – formal)
Sentemo-nos (Let’s sit down)
Sentem-se (Sit down – plural)
Reflexive Verbs with Infinitives and Gerunds
When using reflexive verbs with infinitives or gerunds, the reflexive pronoun is placed before the verb or attached to the end of the gerund, similar to the imperative mood. Here are some examples:
Eu prefiro me deitar cedo. (I prefer to go to bed early.)
Ela está se divertindo na festa. (She is enjoying herself at the party.)
Eles começaram a se conhecer melhor. (They started to get to know each other better.)
Reflexive Verbs in Passive Form
Reflexive verbs can also be used in the passive form to express actions that are done to the subject by someone or something else. To form the passive reflexive, the verb is conjugated in the third person, and the reflexive pronoun agrees with the subject. Here’s an example with the verb “cortar-se” (to cut oneself):
Ela se cortou com uma faca. (She cut herself with a knife.)
In this sentence, the subject (ela) is both the doer and the receiver of the action.
In conclusion, reflexive verbs are an important part of the Portuguese language and are used to express actions performed by the subject onto themselves. By adding the appropriate reflexive pronoun to the verb, we can accurately convey these actions. Whether it’s personal care, daily routines, or emotional states, reflexive verbs play a significant role in Portuguese communication. Understanding their formation and usage will greatly enhance your ability to express yourself effectively in Portuguese.
Originally posted 2023-07-15 23:40:09.