Question 1

Why is the reflexive pronoun me before the verb (me queimei) instead of attached to the end (queimei-me)?

Accepted Answer

In European Portuguese, reflexive pronouns normally attach to the end of the verb with a hyphen (like queimei-me). However, certain words act as magnet words that pull the pronoun before the verb. Negative words like nunca (never) and não (no/not) are strong magnets. Because the sentence starts with Nunca, the pronoun me is pulled in front of the verb queimei.

Question 2

Is the verb conjugated differently in the past tense because it is a reflexive verb?

Accepted Answer

No, the conjugation itself stays exactly the same! Queimar-se (to burn oneself) is conjugated just like the regular verb queimar (to burn). For the first-person singular (eu) form in the simple past, you just drop the -ar and add -ei, giving us queimei. The only difference is that you also need to include the reflexive pronoun me.

Question 3

Could I say Não me queimei nunca instead?

Accepted Answer

Yes! In Portuguese, if you put nunca (never) after the verb, you must also use não before the verb to make a double negative: Não me queimei nunca. But if nunca comes at the very beginning of the sentence, like in our example, you drop the não.

Question 4

Why use the preposition com here?

Accepted Answer

In English, you might say you burned yourself on the stove or from the coffee. In Portuguese, when expressing the object, tool, or substance that caused an action to happen to you, you typically use com (with). You are literally saying you burned yourself with the coffee.

Nunca me queimei com o café.

Breakdown of Nunca me queimei com o café.

Questions & Answers about Nunca me queimei com o café.

Learn Nunca me queimei com o café and more in Portuguese