Reflexive Pronouns and Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive pronouns in European Portuguese refer back to the subject. Many verbs are inherently reflexive or can become reflexive to express actions done to oneself.
PortuStories Editorial
European Portuguese Grammar Guide
| Person | Reflexive pronoun |
|---|---|
| eu | me |
| tu | te |
| ele/ela/você | se |
| nós | nos |
| vós | vos |
| eles/elas/vocês | se |
Ela levantou-se às sete da manhã.
She got up at seven in the morning.
Enclisis in affirmative main clause.
Não te esqueças do casaco.
Don't forget your coat.
Proclisis after negation.
Common reflexive verbs in EP: levantar-se (get up), sentar-se (sit down), lembrar-se de (remember), esquecer-se de (forget), chamar-se (to be called), sentir-se (feel).
Reflexive pronouns follow the same enclisis/proclisis rules as other clitics. Affirmative main clause: levantou-se. After negation or conjunction: não se levantou.
🇵🇹 European Portuguese
Chamo-me Ana.
🇧🇷 Brazilian Portuguese
Me chamo Ana.
EP enclisis in an affirmative main clause; BP proclisis.
From a PortuStories Story
O Carlos levantou-se cedo, lavou-se e vestiu-se rapidamente.
Carlos got up early, washed, and dressed quickly.