Question 1

Why is there a -se attached to passa?

Accepted Answer

The verb passar usually means "to pass" or "to spend" (like time). However, when used as a reflexive verb (passar-se), it means "to happen" or "to go on." So, passa-se translates well to "is going on" or "is happening" in this context.

Question 2

Why is the verb at the very beginning of the sentence? What is the subject?

Accepted Answer

The subject is actually alguma coisa (something). Literally, the sentence is "Happens something with her." In Portuguese, it is very common to put the verb first when introducing a new subject or talking about something happening or existing.

Question 3

If I moved alguma coisa to the start, would it be Alguma coisa passa-se com ela?

Accepted Answer

No, it would be Alguma coisa se passa com ela. Words like alguma act as magnets in Portuguese—they pull the pronoun (se) to the front of the verb. Because the verb comes first in our example sentence, there are no magnet words before it, so the -se stays attached to the end.

Question 4

Could I use algo instead of alguma coisa?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you could say Passa-se algo com ela. Both mean exactly the same thing. Alguma coisa is just used a bit more frequently in everyday spoken Portuguese.

Question 5

I have heard passar-se used to mean someone is angry. Does it mean that here?

Accepted Answer

Not in this sentence, because the subject is alguma coisa. But you are right! In informal Portuguese, passar-se can mean "to freak out" or "to lose your mind." If the sentence were Ela passa-se, it would mean "She is freaking out."

Passa-se alguma coisa com ela.

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