Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Ele chama-se Pedro.

Ele chama-se Pedro.

He is called Pedro.

Breakdown of Ele chama-se Pedro.

chamar-se

to be called

himself / herself / themselves

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Questions & Answers about Ele chama-se Pedro.

What does the -se at the end of the verb mean?

The word se is a reflexive pronoun that means "himself" in this context. Literally, Ele chama-se Pedro translates to "He calls himself Pedro". This is the most natural way to say someone's name in Portuguese.

Why is se attached to the verb with a hyphen?

In European Portuguese, short pronouns like se (as well as the direct object pronouns me, te, o, a, etc.) normally attach to the end of the verb with a hyphen. This is the default rule unless a specific "trigger" word forces the pronoun to move in front of the verb.

If this lesson is about direct object pronouns, why is a reflexive pronoun like se included?

Reflexive pronouns like se follow the exact same placement rules as direct object pronouns. Learning how to attach -se to a verb with a hyphen helps you practice the exact same pattern you will use for -o, -a, -me, and others.

Can I just say O nome dele é Pedro instead?

Yes, O nome dele é Pedro (His name is Pedro) is perfectly correct and makes sense. However, using the verb chamar-se (to call oneself) is much more common in everyday conversation.