Reflexive/pronominal verbs (e.g.: Eu deito-me)

Questions about Pronominal Verbs (Portuguese)

Q: Why is it Eu lembro-me and NOT Eu lembro (to mean "I remember")?
Lembrar-se is a pronominal verb meaning “to remember.” The non-pronominal lembrar has a different structure (it usually takes an object: Lembro o nome is less common; EP prefers Lembro-me do nome).

Q: Why is it Tu lavas-te and NOT Tu se lavas?
The reflexive pronoun must agree with the subject:

• eu → me

• tu → te

• ele/ela → se

So: tu lavas-te (not se).

Q: Why is it Eles lavam as mãos / Eles lavam-se as mãos and NOT Eles lavam as suas mãos?
With body parts, Portuguese typically avoids possessives and uses:

• a definite article (as mãos)

• often a pronominal construction (lavam-se)

Q: Why is it Eu zango-me and not Eu zango to mean “I get angry”?
Zangar-se is a pronominal verb meaning “to get angry.”
Without the pronoun, zangar is transitive:

• Eu zango-me. (I get angry)

• Eu zango o meu irmão. (I make my brother angry)

Q: Why is it Arrependo-me de ter ido lá and NOT Arrependo de ter ido lá?
Arrepender-se is a verb that is always pronominal, so it must include the reflexive pronoun:

• Arrependo-me… (correct)

• ❌ Arrependo… (incorrect)

🔑 Key point

• Some verbs are always pronominal (arrepender-se, queixar-se)

• Others change meaning depending on whether they are pronominal

• The pronoun must always match the subject