B1 · Reflexive verbs
Each other: reciprocal se
« Get on well » is dar-se bem — a reflexive where English has none.
At a glance
- Remember
- um ao outro says that it goes both ways.
- Form
- (nós) vemo-noswe see each other
- Signal words
- um ao outro
- uns aos outros
- encontrar-se
- dar-se bem
- Trap
- Wrong:Conhecemos-nos há muitos anos.Right:Conhecemo-nos há muitos anos.
Your turn
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Now write it yourself3 sentences on this topic, typed and checked instantly.
The form
How the forms are built
Each row gives the meaning first, then the form in Portuguese. The colours show what changes from one form to the next.
stem (regular) stem (irregular) person ending
| we see each other | (nós) vemo-nos |
| you see each other, plural and formal | (vós) vedes-vos |
| they see each other, you see each other (plural) | (eles / elas / vocês) veem-se |
| they see each other every day | veem-se todos os dias |
| they help each other | ajudam-se um ao outro |
| we met in 2019 | conhecemo-nos em 2019 |
| we get on very well | damo-nos muito bem |
| they write to each other every week | escrevem-se todas as semanas |
| each other (several) | uns aos outros |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is aboutThe word that calls for it
The form is the same as for a reflexive verb.
Eles encontram-se ao sábado.They meet on Saturdays.
um ao outro makes it unambiguous.
Ajudam-se um ao outro nos estudos.They help each other with their studies.
In the we-form the -s disappears.
Conhecemo-nos há muitos anos.We have known each other for many years.
The phrase agrees.
As irmãs escrevem-se uma à outra.The sisters write to each other.
Example sentences
Os dois irmãos não se falam há anos.The two brothers have not spoken to each other for years.
Conhecemo-nos numa festa em Lisboa.We met at a party in Lisbon.
Elas parecem-se muito uma com a outra.They look very much alike.
Damo-nos bem com os vizinhos.We get on well with the neighbours.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
In the we-form the verb's -s disappears before -nos — conhecemo-nos and not conhecemos-nos. It is the same rule as with an ordinary reflexive verb, and it is missed here especially often, because the sentence otherwise looks right.
The full explanation
Read it all · about 1 min
Eles veem-se todos os dias can mean two things: « they see each other every day » or « they see themselves ». Portuguese uses the same form for both.
Where it matters, a phrase is added: um ao outrofor « each other »a si própriofor « themselves » Ajudam-se um ao outro against ajuda-se a si próprio. And the phrase agrees: uma à outrafor two womenuns aos outrosfor more than two
A handful of verbs are almost only reciprocal and leave the phrase out — and this is where an English speaker has most to gain, because the English equivalents are not reflexive at all. Encontrar-se is « to meet »; conhecer-se is « to get to know one another »; dar-se bem is « to get on well »; parecer-se com is « to look like ».
Dar-se bem repays a second look. Word for word it is « to give oneself well », which explains nothing; as a unit it is « to get on », and it takes com for the other party: damo-nos bem com os vizinhos.
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The verbs on this page, in every form: haver · falar · escrever · parecer · encontrar · ajudar