Breakdown of Ele é tão desastrado! Entornou-se-lhe o café na camisa.
ser
to be
ele
he
em
in / on / at
o café
the café
a camisa
the shirt
tão
as / so
lhe
to him / to her / to you (formal)
se
himself / herself / themselves
desastrado
clumsy
entornar
to spill (by tilting or tipping)
Questions & Answers about Ele é tão desastrado! Entornou-se-lhe o café na camisa.
What does Entornou-se-lhe literally mean, and why use both se and lhe?
Why are the pronouns attached to the end of the verb as -se-lhe?
In European Portuguese, pronouns generally attach to the end of the verb in standard affirmative sentences. Because Entornou starts the clause, the pronouns must follow it. When combining them, the reflexive se always comes before the indirect object lhe.
Why doesn't the sentence use possessives like o seu café or na sua camisa?
The indirect object pronoun lhe already indicates that the action happened to him, which naturally implies it was his coffee and his shirt. In Portuguese, possessive words are often dropped when a pronoun like lhe or the general context makes ownership clear, especially concerning clothing or body parts.
Could I just say Ele entornou o café instead?
Yes, but it changes the nuance. Ele entornou o café is a direct, active statement meaning he spilled the coffee, which places the blame entirely on him. Using the accidental structure Entornou-se-lhe emphasizes that it was an unfortunate mishap, softening the fault even if he is clumsy (desastrado).
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