abraçar-se/conhecer-se
Reciprocal Se
The reciprocal se (and its plural partners nos and vos) indicates mutual action. It is the Portuguese equivalent of 'each other' or 'one another'.
How It Works
The reciprocal construction is used when two or more subjects perform an action on one another.
1. The Pronouns:
The pronoun must match the subject:
- Nós (We) → nos
- A gente (We - informal) → se (Note: The verb must stay in the 3rd person singular, e.g., A gente se conhece).
- Vocês/Eles/Elas (You all/They) → se
- Vós (You plural - formal/archaic) → vos
2. Placement (Clitics):
In Brazil, proclisis (before the verb) is the standard in most speech: Eles se amam. In Portugal, enclisis (after the verb) is the default (Eles amam-se). Crucially, in European Portuguese, you cannot start a sentence with a pronoun; you must say Conhecem-se, never Se conhecem. However, proclisis is mandatory if there is a 'trigger' like a negative word (Não se amam).
3. The '-s' Drop:
When attaching a pronoun to the end of a verb in European Portuguese, the final -s is dropped in two specific cases:
- -mos + nos → -mo-nos (e.g., conhecemo-nos)
- -is + vos → -i-vos (e.g., amai-vos)
4. Avoiding Ambiguity:
Because Eles se lavam can mean 'They wash themselves' or 'They wash each other', speakers add um ao outro. This phrase must agree in gender with the subjects: um ao outro (masculine/mixed), uma à outra (feminine), or plural uns aos outros / umas às outras for larger groups. The preposition also changes based on the verb (e.g., gostam um do outro).
Examples (6)
- Nós nos conhecemos na universidade.
We met each other at the university.
Word by Word: We ourselves met at the university.
Uses 'nos' to show the action of meeting was mutual between 'nós'.
- A gente se vê amanhã?
Will we see each other tomorrow?
Word by Word: The people themselves see tomorrow?
In Brazil, a gente is the most common way to say 'we', using the pronoun 'se' for reciprocity.
- Eles se abraçaram no aeroporto.
They hugged each other at the airport.
Word by Word: They themselves hugged at the airport.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'se' is placed before the verb to show a reciprocal hug.
- Os dois países ajudam-se mutuamente.
The two countries help each other mutually.
Word by Word: The two countries help-themselves mutually.
Example of enclisis, the default in European Portuguese affirmative sentences.
- Nós amamo-nos muito.
We love each other very much.
Word by Word: We love-ourselves much.
Notice the dropped '-s' from 'amamos' when 'nos' is attached at the end in European Portuguese.
- Eles não se conhecem bem.
They don't know each other well.
Word by Word: They not themselves know well.
In both regions, negation forces the pronoun to come before the verb.
Common Mistakes
Using 'se' for the first person plural (nós).
Nós se vemos amanhã.Nós nos vemos amanhã.The pronoun must agree with the subject. 'Se' is only for 3rd person (ele/eles) or 'você/vocês'. For 'nós', you must use 'nos'.
Using a plural verb with 'a gente' in reciprocal actions.
A gente se abraçaram.A gente se abraçou.Even though 'a gente' refers to 'we', it always requires a 3rd person singular verb. This rule remains the same for reciprocal actions.
Starting a sentence with a pronoun in European Portuguese.
Se conhecem há muito tempo.Conhecem-se há muito tempo.In European Portuguese, you cannot start a sentence with a clitic pronoun like 'se'. You must place it after the verb (enclisis) unless there is a preceding trigger word.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand reciprocal actions in Portuguese, you must first be comfortable with plural subjects and the reflexive pronoun system. Since reciprocal actions ('each other') are grammatically identical to reflexive actions ('themselves') in the plural, learning basic reflexive verbs is a vital foundation.
Related Patterns
- me/te/se/nos/vos/seReflexive Pronouns
Reciprocal pronouns use the exact same forms as reflexive pronouns; the difference is only in the meaning (self vs. each other).
Level 1 - Proclisis (Pronoun Before Verb)
Explains the placement of the reciprocal pronoun before the verb, which is the standard in Brazil.
Level 2 - Enclisis (Pronoun After Verb)
Explains the placement of the reciprocal pronoun after the verb, which is the standard in Portugal.
Level 2 - a gente + se/nosObject and Reflexive Agreement with a Gente
Explains how to handle reciprocal actions when using the informal 'a gente' instead of 'nós'.
Level 2 - se + VerbPassive Se Construction
Another common use of 'se' that can be confused with the reciprocal 'se'.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice abraçar-se/conhecer-se in Bubblegum
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