Learn Portuguese (Portugal): O rapazinho passou-se quando viu a mascote. - The little boy freaked out when he saw the mascot.

O rapazinho passou-se quando viu a mascote.

The little boy freaked out when he saw the mascot.

Breakdown of O rapazinho passou-se quando viu a mascote.

Questions & Answers about O rapazinho passou-se quando viu a mascote.

How does adding the reflexive pronoun change the meaning of passar in this sentence?

The verb passar normally means to pass or spend time. When it becomes reflexive (passar-se), it completely changes its meaning. Applied to a person, as in passou-se, it means to lose control of one's emotions, freak out, or go crazy. It can also refer to situations meaning to happen, as in the common question O que se passa? (What is happening?).

Why is the pronoun placed after the verb in passou-se?

In European Portuguese, the default position for object pronouns in affirmative main clauses is after the verb, connected by a hyphen. Since there are no magnet words here, such as a negative word or a relative pronoun before the verb to pull the -se forward, it stays attached to the end.

I noticed it says a mascote. Is this word always feminine?

Yes, mascote is a grammatically feminine noun in Portuguese. You will always say a mascote regardless of whether the person, animal, or character it represents is male or female.

Why use rapazinho instead of just menino for little boy?

Both mean little boy, but rapazinho is the diminutive of rapaz (boy or young man). It is often used affectionately to describe a young lad, sometimes implying he is a growing boy or acting like a little man, whereas menino is the standard word for a young male child.