Brazilian Portuguese Grammar

The word se

The word se has multiple meanings in Portuguese and corresponds to different structures in English.

1. Connector se

Se is used as a connector in two different kinds of subordinating clauses: conditional clauses and noun clauses (indirect questions):

Se corresponds to if in conditional clauses:
I'll go if you invite me.	Irei se você me convidar.
If I were you, I wouldn't buy those shoes.	Se eu fosse você, não compraria esses sapatos.

Se corresponds to if or whether in indirect questions (noun clauses):
They asked if he had bought a gift.	Eles me perguntaram se ele tinha comprado um presente.
Do you know if she's home?	Você sabe se ela está em casa?

2. Pronoun se

Se corresponds to reflexive pronouns himself, herself, itself or themselves:
Ele se cortou com a faca.	*He cut himself* with the knife.**
Ela se ama.	She loves herself.
Eles se machucaram durante o jogo.	They hurt themselves during the game.

Se corresponds to reciprocal pronouns each other or one another:
Eles se amam.	*They love each other.*
O pai, a mãe e o filho se amam.	*The father, mother and son love one another.*