Impersonal and passive se
Portuguese uses se to generalize actions or create passive-like meaning without emphasizing the actor.
Examples
PortugueseTranslation
Aqui se fala português com calma.
Portuguese is spoken calmly here / People speak Portuguese calmly here.
Vendem-se apartamentos no centro.
Apartments are sold downtown.
Diz-se que o bairro mudou muito.
People say that the neighborhood has changed a lot.
Pattern
se + verb
How it works
Portuguese uses se to generalize actions or create passive-like meaning without emphasizing the actor. This pattern typically appears as se + verb and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.
What to notice
- Some uses feel impersonal, while others feel closer to a passive.
- Agreement can change depending on the noun and the exact pattern.
Why it matters
Write more impersonally or more indirectly when needed.
Use in context
This structure is common in instructions, public language, and general observations.