se + Intransitive Verb

Impersonal Se with Intransitive Verbs

Level 4

The impersonal se (Índice de Indeterminação do Sujeito) allows you to talk about actions or states in a general way. It is the formal equivalent of saying 'one lives' or 'people work'.

How It Works

In Portuguese, the particle se can function as a 'Subject Indeterminacy Marker.' This is used when the speaker wants to refer to an action without identifying exactly who is performing it.

Key Rules:

  • Verb Agreement: The verb must remain in the 3rd person singular, even if you are thinking about many people. For example: Vive-se bem (One lives well).
  • Verb Types: This specific 'impersonal' function occurs with intransitive verbs (like viver, trabalhar, ir), indirect transitive verbs (verbs requiring a preposition), or linking verbs.
  • Register: This is a formal construction. In casual speech, Brazilians often use a gente or the 3rd person plural (Dizem que...) instead.
  • Clitic Placement: The position of se follows standard rules. It usually comes after the verb (ênclise) unless triggered by a negative word or adverb (próclise).

Unlike the Passive Se, which changes based on the object, the Impersonal Se never changes the verb to plural.

Examples (4)

  1. Vive-se muito bem nesta cidade litorânea.

    One lives very well in this coastal city.

    Word by Word: Lives-itself very well in-this city coastal.

    The verb 'viver' is intransitive. 'Se' makes the subject indefinite, implying anyone who lives there experiences this.

  2. Antigamente, trabalhava-se de sol a sol.

    In the old days, people worked from sunrise to sunset.

    Word by Word: Formerly, worked-itself from sun to sun.

    The imperfect tense 'trabalhava' combined with 'se' describes a general habit in the past.

  3. Aqui não se entra sem autorização.

    One does not enter here without authorization.

    Word by Word: Here not itself enters without authorization.

    The negative word 'não' pulls the 'se' before the verb (proclisis). It functions as a general rule for everyone.

  4. Vai-se ao cinema aos domingos.

    One goes to the cinema on Sundays.

    Word by Word: Goes-itself to-the cinema at-the Sundays.

    Even though 'Sundays' is plural, the verb 'vai' remains singular because the subject is indeterminate.

Common Mistakes

  • Pluralizing the verb to match the implied 'people'.

    Vivem-se bem aqui.
    Vive-se bem aqui.

    With intransitive verbs, 'se' is an impersonal marker. The verb must stay in the 3rd person singular regardless of how many people are implied.

  • Using 'você' for a generic 'one' in formal contexts.

    Como você diz 'apple' em português?
    Como se diz 'apple' em português?

    Using 'você' sounds like you are asking the specific person you are talking to. 'Se' is the correct way to ask how 'one' says it generally.

How It Connects

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

se + Intransitive VerbLevel 4Impersonal Se with Intransitive Verbs

Learn This First

To understand the impersonal 'se' with intransitive verbs, you first need to be familiar with the pronoun 'se' and how verbs are conjugated in the third-person singular. It is also helpful to have seen the 'precisa-se de' construction, which demonstrates how 'se' functions when there is no direct object to act as a passive subject.

Words in This Pattern