Past tense reflexive verbs (-se)

Reflexive verbs indicate that the subject and object of the action are the same person. In Portuguese, they are commonly used to describe minor accidents and physical reactions, like hurting yourself or getting scared.

To use reflexive verbs in the simple past tense (Pretérito Perfeito Simples), conjugate the verb normally and pair it with the correct reflexive pronoun.

Subject PronounReflexive Pronoun
Eume
Tute
Ele / Ela / Vocêse
Nósnos
Eles / Elas / Vocêsse

Affirmative Sentences

In standard affirmative sentences, the reflexive pronoun is placed after the conjugated verb, attached with a hyphen.

Yesterday, I cut my finger with the paper.
Ontem, cortei-me no dedo com o papel.
The girl scratched her leg and her arm.
A rapariga arranhou-se na perna e no braço.
The little girl got scared of the dog and cried.
A menina assustou-se com o cão e chorou.

Questions

In a simple yes/no question, the pronoun stays attached to the end of the verb, just like in an affirmative sentence.

Did you burn your arm with the tea, sir?
O senhor queimou-se no braço com o chá?

Changing the Pronoun Position

Certain words act as "magnets," pulling the reflexive pronoun before the verb and removing the hyphen.

Negative Words Negative words like não and nunca pull the pronoun to the front of the verb.

I never burned myself with the coffee.
Nunca me queimei com o café.
We did not scratch ourselves on the tree.
Nós não nos arranhámos na árvore.

Question Words While simple yes/no questions keep the pronoun at the end, specific question words (like onde) will pull it to the front.

Where did you hurt your leg?
Onde é que te magoaste na perna?

Conjunctions Conjunctions like porque (because) also pull the reflexive pronoun before the verb.

The boy cried because he hurt his hand.
O menino chorou porque se magoou na mão.
Practice this lesson