B2 · Intermédiaire supérieur Chapitre 11

Shifting Focus: The Passive Voice

8 Règles totales
83 exemples
6 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of shifting focus to actions and results for sophisticated Portuguese communication.

  • Construct formal sentences using the 'ser' + past participle structure.
  • Identify and use the common 'se' passive found in advertisements and news.
  • Differentiate between passive and impersonal statements to ensure perfect verb agreement.
Shift the spotlight: From who did it to what happened.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Ready to make your Portuguese sound truly authentic and sophisticated? This chapter is your gateway to mastering the passive voice, a crucial structure that lets you emphasize actions and results over the person performing them. It's how native speakers convey precision and formality, and you'll find it everywhere from news articles to everyday conversation. We'll start with the classic ser + past participle construction, learning how to shift the spotlight to the object of the action, ensuring your participles always agree! Then, you'll discover how to gracefully introduce the 'doer' of the action using por (think pelo/pela) when necessary, all while maintaining the passive emphasis. But the real star of this chapter is the versatile se passive (Voz Passiva Sintética). This is incredibly common in Portuguese, and you'll learn its secrets, especially how the verb must agree in number with the noun being acted upon. Get ready to understand signs like Vendem-se casas (Houses are sold) with perfect clarity. Finally, we'll tackle the subtle but important distinction between the passive se and the impersonal se, so you'll always know when to make your verb plural and when to keep it singular. By the end of this chapter, you won't just be learning rules; you'll be able to express yourself with greater nuance and sound incredibly natural. You'll comfortably read headlines like

A ponte foi construída
(The bridge was built) and understand nuanced impersonal statements. Get ready to elevate your Portuguese to a truly upper-intermediate level!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to transform active sentences into the analytical passive voice with correct participle agreement.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to identify the agent of the action using the correct contractions of 'por'.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to use the 'se' passive (sintética) and ensure the verb agrees with the patient noun.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to distinguish between 'se' as a passive marker and 'se' as an impersonal subject.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Ready to elevate your Portuguese grammar to a truly B2 level? This chapter unlocks the power of the passive voice, a crucial linguistic tool that allows you to shift emphasis from the doer of an action to the action itself or its recipient. Mastering this structure is key to sounding more authentic and sophisticated, as native speakers frequently employ it in everything from news reports to nuanced daily conversations.
Understanding the Portuguese passive voice is not just about rules; it's about gaining a deeper appreciation for how the language conveys precision and formality.
We'll explore two primary forms of the Voz Passiva in Portuguese. First, the classic analytical passive, built with the verb ser and a past participle, where you'll learn to ensure perfect agreement. Then, we dive into the highly versatile se passive (also known as the Voz Passiva Sintética), which is incredibly common and efficient.
By the end, you'll comfortably read headlines like
A ponte foi construída
(The bridge was built) and understand nuanced impersonal statements, equipping you with essential skills for upper-intermediate Portuguese language learning.

How This Grammar Works

The Portuguese passive voice fundamentally shifts the spotlight from who performs an action to what is being acted upon. The most straightforward way to form it is using ser + past participle, a rule often referred to as Forming Passive Voice (Ser + Participle). For example, instead of
O João escreveu o livro
(João wrote the book), you'd say
O livro foi escrito pelo João
(The book was written by João).
Crucially, the past participle must agree in gender and number with the new subject: A carta foi escrita (The letter was written - feminine singular), Os documentos foram lidos (The documents were read - masculine plural).
To introduce the original doer of the action, Portuguese uses por or its contractions pelo/pela/pelos/pelas, a concept covered in Passive Voice: Introducing Agents with 'by' (pelo/pela). These contractions combine por with the definite articles. For instance,
A decisão foi tomada pelos diretores
(The decision was made by the directors).
If the agent is indefinite or less important, por alone can be used, but pelo/pela are very common.
The real star for B2 Portuguese learners is the Passive Voice with 'se' (Voz Passiva Sintética). This structure is incredibly prevalent, especially in signs, advertisements, and general statements. It uses the particle se immediately before the verb.
The key here is that the verb *must* agree in number with the noun being acted upon. For example,
Vendem-se casas
(Houses are sold – plural verb for plural 'houses'), and
Aluga-se apartamento
(An apartment is rented – singular verb for singular 'apartment'). This is precisely the 'Se' Passive Voice (Vendem-se casas) you'll see everywhere.
Finally, we address the critical distinction between the passive se and the impersonal se, often referred to as Passive vs. Impersonal 'se' (Partícula Apassivadora e Impessoal). When se is a passive particle (partícula apassivadora), the verb agrees with the direct object, which becomes the grammatical subject (e.g., Comem-se maçãs - Apples are eaten).
When se is an impersonal particle, the verb *always* remains in the third-person singular, making a general statement without a specific subject (e.g.,
Comem-se bem aqui
- One eats well here, or People eat well here). Recognizing this difference is a hallmark of advanced Portuguese grammar.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    A porta foi aberto.
    (The door was opened.)
✓ Correct:
A porta foi aberta.
(The door was opened.)
*Explanation:* The past participle in the analytical passive (ser + participle) must agree in gender and number with the subject. A porta is feminine singular, so the participle must be aberta, not aberto.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Vende-se casas. (Houses are sold.)
✓ Correct: Vendem-se casas. (Houses are sold.)
*Explanation:* In the se passive (Voz Passiva Sintética), if the item being acted upon (in this case, casas) is plural, the verb must also be plural. Casas is plural, so the verb should be vendem-se, not vende-se.
  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    A comida foi preparado por mim.
    (The food was prepared by me.)
✓ Correct:
A comida foi preparada por mim.
(The food was prepared by me.)
*Explanation:* Similar to mistake 1, the participle preparado must agree with A comida (feminine singular), becoming preparada.

Real Conversations

A

A

O novo projeto foi aprovado pela diretoria?
(Was the new project approved by the board?)
B

B

Sim, foi aprovado ontem à tarde, depois de muita discussão.
(Yes, it was approved yesterday afternoon, after much discussion.)
A

A

Onde se compram bilhetes para o concerto?
(Where are tickets bought for the concert?)
B

B

Vendem-se bilhetes online ou na bilheteria do teatro.
(Tickets are sold online or at the theater box office.)
A

A

Os erros foram corrigidos no relatório final?
(Were the errors corrected in the final report?)
B

B

Sim, foram todos corrigidos pela equipe de revisão.
(Yes, they were all corrected by the review team.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between Voz Passiva Analítica and Voz Passiva Sintética in Portuguese grammar?

The Voz Passiva Analítica uses ser + past participle (e.g.,

O livro foi escrito
), while the Voz Passiva Sintética uses a verb with the particle se (e.g., Escreve-se o livro).

Q

How do I know when to use pelo or por with the agent in the passive voice?

You use pelo/pela/pelos/pelas (contractions of por + definite article) when the agent is specific and defined (e.g., pela equipe). You use por alone when the agent is general, indefinite, or not accompanied by an article (e.g., por sorte).

Q

Can I always use the se passive in Portuguese?

No, the se passive is typically used with transitive verbs that have a direct object. It's less common with verbs that express states or verbs that are inherently intransitive. It's also more common in formal or impersonal contexts.

Q

How can I quickly distinguish between passive se and impersonal se?

If the verb *can* agree in number with the noun that follows it (i.e., if that noun is plural and the verb can also be plural), it's likely a passive se. If the verb *always* stays singular, even with a plural concept, it's an impersonal se. (e.g., Comem-se maçãs vs. Come-se bem aqui).

Cultural Context

The Portuguese passive voice, especially the se passive, is incredibly common in everyday life in Portugal and Brazil. You'll see signs like
Aluga-se
(For Rent) or
Proíbem-se cães
(Dogs are forbidden) everywhere. It's a hallmark of formal writing, news articles, and official announcements, lending an air of objectivity and professionalism.
While both forms of the passive exist, the Voz Passiva Sintética (se passive) is often preferred for its conciseness and natural flow, making it essential for any B2 Portuguese speaker aiming for authentic expression.

Exemples clés (4)

1

O novo iPhone foi lançado ontem.

Le nouvel iPhone a été lancé hier.

La Voix Passive en Portugais : Mettre l'accent sur l'action (Voz Passiva)
2

Todas as faturas foram pagas pela empresa.

Toutes les factures ont été payées par l'entreprise.

La Voix Passive en Portugais : Mettre l'accent sur l'action (Voz Passiva)
3

Vende-se este apartamento moderno.

Cet appartement moderne est à vendre.

'se' passif vs. 'se' impersonnel (Partícula Apassivadora e Impessoal)
4

Vendem-se ingressos para o festival.

Des billets pour le festival sont en vente.

'se' passif vs. 'se' impersonnel (Partícula Apassivadora e Impessoal)

Conseils et astuces (4)

⚠️

Le piège de l'accord

Fais toujours attention au genre et au nombre du nouveau sujet ! Si c'est a comida (féminin singulier), tu dois dire foi feita, pas feito. C'est l'erreur la plus courante au niveau B2, alors sois vigilant !
A pizza foi comida rapidamente.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: La Voix Passive en Portugais : Mettre l'accent sur l'action (Voz Passiva)
⚠️

L'accord est roi

Ne laisse jamais le participe passé de marbre ! Si le sujet est féminin pluriel comme 'as meninas', le participe devient 'convidadas' et non 'convidado'. Par exemple :
As meninas foram convidadas para a festa.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: La Voix Passive : Mettre l'action en avant (`Voz Passiva`)
💡

Le test du "Par moi"

Si tu peux ajouter por mim (par moi) après le verbe et que la phrase a toujours du sens, c'est de la voix passive !
A porta foi aberta... por mim.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Former la Voix Passive (Ser + Participe)
⚠️

Le piège de l'accord

Rappelle-toi que le participe s'accorde avec le NOUVEAU sujet, pas avec celui qui fait l'action. Imagine que tu parles de plusieurs pizzas :
As pizzas foram feitas.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: La Voix Passive : Introduire l'agent avec 'par' (pelo/pela)

Vocabulaire clé (6)

construir to build vender to sell anunciar to announce pelo / pela by (contraction of por + o/a) reformar to renovate descobrir to discover

Real-World Preview

newspaper

Reading the News

map-pin

Walking through Lisbon

Review Summary

  • [Subject] + [Ser] + [Past Participle (agrees with subject)]
  • [Passive Sentence] + [por + article] + [Agent]
  • [Verb 3rd person] + [se] + [Subject]
  • [Verb 3rd person singular] + [se] + [Preposition/Adverb]

Erreurs courantes

In the analytical passive, the past participle acts like an adjective and must agree in gender and number with the subject.

Wrong: As casas foram vendido.
Correct: As casas foram vendidas.

In the 'se' passive, 'quartos' is the subject. Since 'quartos' is plural, the verb 'alugar' must be plural.

Wrong: Aluga-se quartos.
Correct: Alugam-se quartos.

To introduce the agent of the passive, use the preposition 'por' (pelo/pela), not 'para'.

Wrong: O livro foi escrito para o autor.
Correct: O livro foi escrito pelo autor.

Règles dans ce chapitre (8)

1

La Voix Passive en Portugais : Mettre l'accent sur l'action (Voz Passiva)

B2
Pour une communication plus formelle ou pour insister sur l'action, déplace le focus vers l'objet en utilisant ser et un participe passé accordé. C'est précis et élégant !
O novo iPhone foi lançado ontem.
10 exemples
2

La Voix Passive : Mettre l'action en avant (`Voz Passiva`)

B2
Pour mettre en avant le résultat plutôt que l'auteur, utilise la structure avec ser ou la forme synthétique avec se.
A foto foi postada no Instagram.
10 exemples
3

Former la Voix Passive (Ser + Participe)

B2
Utilise Ser + Participe pour mettre en avant celui qui reçoit l'action, et n'oublie pas de faire l'accord avec des mots-clés comme ser, particípio et agente.
O pedido foi cancelado pelo restaurante.
10 exemples
4

La Voix Passive : Introduire l'agent avec 'par' (pelo/pela)

B2
Utilise por combiné à l'article (pelo/pela) et accorde bien le particípio avec le sujet pour identifier l' agente.
O vídeo foi editado pelo editor profissional.
10 exemples
5

L'agent du passif en portugais (Agente da Passiva)

B2
L'agent du passif désigne qui fait l'action avec por tout en gardant le focus sur le résultat. Utilise les badges pelo, pela ou por.
A foto foi postada pela Ana no Instagram.
10 exemples
6

Voix Passive avec 'se' (Voz Passiva Sintética)

B2
C'est le nom qui commande : s'il est au pluriel, le verbe suit le mouvement. Retiens bien : Vende-se pour un objet, Vendem-se pour plusieurs.
Vendem-se pães quentinhos aqui.
12 exemples
7

Le Passif en 'Se' (Vendem-se casas)

B2
L'astuce, c'est de bien accorder le verbe avec l'objet qui suit. Retiens bien ces deux formes : Vende-se pour le singulier et Vendem-se pour le pluriel.
Vendem-se carros usados em ótimo estado.
10 exemples
8

'se' passif vs. 'se' impersonnel (Partícula Apassivadora e Impessoal)

B2
Utilise le se passif pour accorder avec le nom, mais garde le verbe au singulier dès qu'une préposition pointe son nez.
Vende-se este apartamento moderno.
11 exemples

Next Steps

You've just added a major layer of sophistication to your Portuguese. Mastering the passive voice is a huge step toward fluency. Keep practicing those 'se' agreements!

Read a Brazilian news article and highlight all 'ser + participle' forms.

Look at online real estate listings (e.g., OLX Portugal) and find examples of 'Vende-se' or 'Aluga-se'.

Continue to: The Basics of the Subjunctive Mood

Pratique rapide (10)

Complète l'enseigne pour plusieurs maisons.

___-se casas nesta rua. (Vender)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vendem
Puisque 'casas' est au pluriel et qu'il n'y a pas de préposition, le verbe 'vender' doit être au pluriel (Se passif).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'se' passif vs. 'se' impersonnel (Partícula Apassivadora e Impessoal)

Complète avec la forme correcte du verbe 'vender'.

Nesta loja, _______-se produtos importados.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vendem
Le sujet est 'produtos importados' (pluriel), donc le verbe doit aussi être au pluriel : 'vendem-se'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Voix Passive avec 'se' (Voz Passiva Sintética)

Complète le blanc avec le participe passé correct.

As janelas foram _______ (limpar) ontem.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: limpas
'As janelas' est féminin pluriel, donc le participe passé de 'limpar' doit s'accorder et devient 'limpas'. L'accord est primordial ici.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: La Voix Passive en Portugais : Mettre l'accent sur l'action (Voz Passiva)

Trouve l'erreur d'accord.

Find and fix the mistake:

As cartas foi escritas pela Maria.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: As cartas foram escritas pela Maria.
L'auxiliaire 'ser' doit s'accorder avec le sujet pluriel 'As cartas' (foi -> foram).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Former la Voix Passive (Ser + Participe)

Trouve l'erreur d'accord.

Find and fix the mistake:

Vende-se casas de luxo na praia.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vendem-se casas de luxo na praia.
Le sujet 'casas' est pluriel, donc le verbe doit être 'Vendem'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Passif en 'Se' (Vendem-se casas)

Complète avec la bonne forme de 'ser' et le participe passé.

A carta _______ (enviar) ontem.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: foi enviada
Comme 'carta' est féminin singulier et que l'action est passée ('ontem'), on utilise 'foi enviada'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: La Voix Passive : Mettre l'action en avant (`Voz Passiva`)

Choisis la bonne forme verbale pour l'accorder avec le nom.

______-se apartamentos no centro. (Alugar)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Alugam
Comme 'apartamentos' est au pluriel, le verbe doit être au pluriel : 'Alugam-se'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Passif en 'Se' (Vendem-se casas)

Complète avec la bonne forme du verbe Ser.

O carro ___ lavado ontem. (La voiture a été lavée hier)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: foi
Comme 'ontem' indique le passé, on utilise le Pretérito Perfeito de 'ser', qui est 'foi'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Former la Voix Passive (Ser + Participe)

Trouve l'erreur dans cette phrase de passif synthétique.

Find and fix the mistake:

Vende-se casas nesta rua.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vendem-se casas nesta rua.
Dans le passif synthétique, le verbe s'accorde avec le nom. Comme 'casas' est au pluriel, on utilise 'Vendem-se'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: La Voix Passive : Mettre l'action en avant (`Voz Passiva`)

Corrige l'erreur d'accord.

Find and fix the mistake:

Acreditam-se em milagres nesta igreja.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Acredita-se em milagres nesta igreja.
Le verbe 'acreditar' prend la préposition 'em'. C'est donc un 'se' impersonnel, le verbe doit rester au singulier.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'se' passif vs. 'se' impersonnel (Partícula Apassivadora e Impessoal)

Score: /10

Questions fréquentes (6)

L'agent, c'est la personne ou la chose qui a fait l'action à l'origine. Dans la phrase
Le gâteau a été fait par Marie
, 'Marie' est l'agent. En portugais, on l'introduit avec la préposition 'por' (ou 'pelo/pela' si elle se contracte avec l'article).
A casa foi comprada por ele.
Utilise la voix passive avec 'se' (synthétique) pour des déclarations générales, des panneaux ou quand l'acteur est inconnu ou peu important. La voix passive avec 'ser' (analytique) est pour des actions spécifiques et complètes, surtout si tu veux mentionner l'agent.
Vende-se pão fresco
(général) vs
O pão foi vendido pelo padeiro
(spécifique).
L'active se concentre sur celui qui fait l'action. La passive se concentre sur celui qui la subit, comme dans :
A maçã foi comida.
Utilise-la quand l'auteur de l'action est inconnu ou moins important que le résultat. C'est très fréquent dans les infos :
O banco foi assaltado.
C'est quand le sujet reçoit l'action au lieu de la faire. Par exemple :
O bolo foi comido
(Le gâteau a été mangé).
Tu dois toujours utiliser le verbe ser comme auxiliaire, suivi du participe passé :
O trabalho foi feito.
Chapitre précédent
Connecting Ideas with Relative Clauses
Chapitre suivant
The Basics of the Subjunctive Mood
Retour à la feuille de route