chamar-se/sentir-se/zangar-se

Emotional and Identity Reflexives

Level 2

These reflexive verbs are essential for daily communication. Chamar-se is used for names, sentir-se for internal states, and zangar-se for becoming angry.

How It Works

These three verbs are essential for expressing identity and emotions, but they follow specific rules:

1. Chamar-se (Identity)
Literally 'to call oneself,' this is the standard way to say your name. In European Portuguese (EP), the pronoun usually follows the verb (Chamo-me), while in Brazilian Portuguese (BP), it often precedes it (Me chamo).

2. Sentir-se (Internal States)
Use this to describe how you feel physically or emotionally (e.g., Sinto-me bem). Without the reflexive pronoun, sentir is used with a noun (Sinto o frio) or with que to express an opinion or perception (Sinto que vai chover).

3. Zangar-se (Emotional Change)
This expresses the transition into anger ('to get angry'). While common in EP, Brazilians more frequently use the expression ficar bravo or ficar com raiva in daily speech. Note that when the anger is directed at someone, these verbs are typically followed by the preposition com (e.g., Zanguei-me com ele).

Pronoun Placement Note:
In EP, while the pronoun usually follows the verb, negative words (like não or nunca) and certain adverbs act as 'triggers' that pull the pronoun to the front: Não me sinto bem.

Conjugation Tip:
In formal writing or European Portuguese where the pronoun follows the verb (enclisis), the final -s of the 1st person plural (nós) is dropped when the pronoun nos is attached: Chamamo-nos (not chamamos-nos). In standard Brazilian proclisis, the -s is retained: Nós nos chamamos.

Examples (5)

  1. Como te chamas? (EP) / Como você se chama? (BP)

    What is your name?

    Word by Word: How [yourself] you call?

    This is the standard way to ask someone's name using the reflexive form of 'chamar'.

  2. Eu sinto-me muito cansado hoje.

    I feel very tired today.

    Word by Word: I feel-myself very tired today.

    Use 'sentir-se' + adjective to describe your physical or emotional state.

  3. Ela zangou-se com o irmão por causa do barulho.

    She got angry with her brother because of the noise.

    Word by Word: She angered-herself with the brother because of the noise.

    'Zangar-se' describes the process of becoming angry.

  4. Nós chamamo-nos Pedro e Ana.

    Our names are Pedro and Ana.

    Word by Word: We call-ourselves Pedro and Ana.

    Notice the dropped '-s' in 'chamamos' when the pronoun 'nos' is attached to the end.

  5. Não me sinto bem agora.

    I don't feel well right now.

    Word by Word: Not myself I feel well now.

    In both variants, negative words like 'não' pull the pronoun before the verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping the reflexive pronoun with 'sentir' when describing a state.

    Eu sinto triste.
    Eu me sinto triste. / Sinto-me triste.

    Without the pronoun, 'sentir' expects a direct object (a noun). To say 'I feel [adjective]', you must use the reflexive form.

  • Starting a sentence with a pronoun in formal writing.

    Me chamo João.
    Chamo-me João.

    While very common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese, starting a sentence with a pronoun is considered informal. In Portugal and in formal 'Gramática Normativa' for both variants, you should use the verb first (enclisis).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

chamar-se/sentir-se/zangar-seLevel 2Emotional and Identity Reflexives

Learn This First

To understand emotional and identity reflexives, you first need to know how to conjugate regular -ar and -ir verbs and how to use reflexive pronouns to indicate that the action refers back to the subject.

Words in This Pattern

chamarsentirzangar