Stem-changing reflexives

Stem-Changing Reflexives

Some common reflexive verbs ending in -ir have a stem change in the present tense. Specifically, the vowel e in the stem changes to an i, but only in the eu (I) form. All other forms are regular.

Take a look at the conjugation for vestir-se (to get dressed):

euvisto-me
tuvestes-te
ele / ela / vocêveste-se
nósvestimo-nos
eles / elas / vocêsvestem-se

The verb despir-se (to get undressed) follows this exact same pattern (eu dispo-me, tu despes-te).

I always get dressed quickly in the morning.
Visto-me sempre rápido de manhã.
I get undressed when I am hot.
Dispo-me quando tenho calor.

Negative words like não act as magnets and pull the reflexive pronoun before the verb.

I do not get dressed in the living room.
Não me visto na sala.

For continuous actions (estar a...), the verb stays in its infinitive form and the pronoun attaches to the end.

I am getting undressed because the pants are tight.
Estou a despir-me porque as calças estão apertadas.

Feeling Comfortable in Your Clothes

The verb sentir-se (to feel) behaves just like the verbs above: its eu form is sinto-me, while the other forms keep the e (like sentes-te).

Do you feel good in those shorts?
Sentes-te bem nesses calções?
I do not feel comfortable in this wool sweater.
Não me sinto confortável com esta camisola de lã.
The wool sweater is in the bedroom.
A camisola de lã está no quarto.

Footwear and Accessories

When putting together an outfit, you will need vocabulary for other clothing items, such as as meias (the socks), as botas (the boots), and o chapéu (the hat).

I need the socks for the boots.
Preciso das meias para as botas.
The boots are very tight.
As botas estão muito apertadas.
This hat is very comfortable.
Este chapéu é muito confortável.