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comportarse

A2 verb #3,500 most common 9 min read

comportarse

Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips comportarse in 30 Seconds

Explanation comportarse in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to describe basic actions. The verb comportarse might feel a bit long, but you can use its simpler cousin 'portarse'. At this stage, you should focus on the present tense and the basic reflexive pronouns. You will mostly use it to say 'I behave well' or 'The child behaves badly'. It is important to remember the 'se' in 'se comporta'. You don't need to worry about complex adverbs yet; 'bien' and 'mal' are perfect for now. Think of it as a way to talk about good and bad manners in very simple sentences. You might hear a teacher say '¡Pórtense bien!' in a basic Spanish class, which is a great entry point to understanding this reflexive concept. The key at A1 is recognizing that the action is directed back at the person acting.

At the A2 level, you are expanding your ability to describe people and social situations. You should start using comportarse instead of just 'portarse' to sound more mature. You can now use it in the past tense (Pretérito Indefinido) to describe how someone behaved yesterday. You are also learning to use the preposition 'como' to make comparisons, like 'comportarse como un adulto'. This level is about social interaction, so you might use the verb to talk about how to act at a party or in a restaurant. You should be comfortable with the reflexive pronouns 'me, te, se, nos, os, se' and where to place them in relation to the verb. You are moving beyond simple 'good/bad' and starting to use more descriptive phrases like 'de manera educada' (in a polite way).

By B1, you can use comportarse to express opinions, wishes, and hypothetical situations. You will start using the subjunctive mood, such as 'Espero que te comportes bien'. This level involves more nuanced social commentary. You can discuss how people should behave in different cultures or professional environments. You might also use the verb to describe how things like the economy or a computer program 'behave' under certain conditions. Your vocabulary of adverbs is growing, allowing you to say things like 'se comportó de forma sospechosa' (he behaved suspiciously). You are also becoming more aware of the difference between comportarse and 'actuar', knowing that the former refers to general conduct while the latter refers to specific actions or performing a role.

At the B2 level, you use comportarse with more precision and in more complex grammatical structures. You can use the conditional tense to talk about what you would do in someone else's shoes: 'Yo me comportaría de otra manera'. You are also able to use the verb in the passive voice or with impersonal 'se' to talk about general social norms: 'Se espera que uno se comporte con respeto'. You can discuss abstract concepts like 'human behavior' (el comportamiento humano) in depth. Your ability to use idiomatic expressions related to behavior, like 'saber estar', becomes more natural. You can analyze literature or films and explain the motivations behind why a character 'se comporta' in a certain way, using advanced connectors and a wide range of descriptive adjectives and adverbs.

At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated command of comportarse. You use it in high-level professional, academic, and literary contexts. You can distinguish between the subtle shades of meaning provided by synonyms like 'conducirse' or 'proceder'. You might write an essay on how social media influences how teenagers comportarse in public. You are comfortable with all tenses and moods, including the imperfect subjunctive and the future perfect. You can use the verb to describe complex scientific phenomena or philosophical ideas about ethics and conduct. Your speech is fluid, and you can use the verb to convey irony, sarcasm, or extreme formality. You understand the cultural nuances of behavior in different Spanish-speaking regions and can adapt your usage of the verb accordingly.

At the C2 level, your use of comportarse is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You can use it in the most formal settings, such as legal proceedings, diplomatic summits, or advanced scientific research papers. You have a deep understanding of the etymology of the word and how its usage has evolved over centuries in Spanish literature. You can use the verb to articulate complex psychological theories or to debate the finest points of social etiquette. You are also aware of regional slang or archaic forms that might be used in specific dialects. Your ability to manipulate the language allows you to use comportarse in creative writing to evoke specific moods or to criticize social structures with precision and elegance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

comportarse in 30 Seconds

Comportarse is a reflexive verb meaning 'to behave'.
It requires reflexive pronouns like me, te, se, nos, os, se.
Commonly used with adverbs like bien, mal, or profesionalmente.
More formal than the synonym 'portarse', used for all ages.

The Spanish verb comportarse is a fundamental reflexive verb that translates to 'to behave' or 'to conduct oneself' in English. It is an essential part of the Spanish vocabulary because it describes the way individuals act in social, professional, or private settings. Unlike the simple action of doing something, comportarse focuses on the manner and quality of the action relative to social norms or expectations.

Reflexive Nature: This verb always requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) because the action of behaving is something the subject does to or for themselves. You are essentially 'carrying yourself' in a specific way.

Espero que los niños aprendan a comportarse bien durante la cena de gala esta noche.

In daily life, you will hear this word used by parents speaking to children, teachers instructing students, and even in legal or psychological contexts to describe human conduct. It is slightly more formal than its synonym 'portarse', which is frequently used in domestic settings.

Social Context: The word is often paired with adverbs such as 'bien' (well), 'mal' (badly), 'adecuadamente' (appropriately), or 'extrañamente' (strangely) to specify the type of behavior observed.

El sospechoso empezó a comportarse de manera errática cuando vio a la policía.

Si decides comportarte como un profesional, obtendrás el ascenso que tanto deseas.

Understanding comportarse also involves recognizing its use in metaphorical contexts, such as how a machine or a chemical substance reacts under certain conditions. For instance, an engineer might describe how a bridge 'behaves' under high winds. However, for a learner at the A2 level, focusing on human interaction is the primary goal.

Formal Usage: In professional evaluations or academic reports, you will see 'comportamiento' (behavior) used as the noun form, but the verb comportarse is the active way to describe that conduct.

Es admirable ver cómo se comporta ella ante la adversidad.

Debemos comportarnos con respeto cuando visitemos el templo sagrado.

By mastering this verb, you gain the ability to navigate social expectations in Spanish-speaking cultures, which often place high value on 'buena educación' or good manners. Whether you are at a party, a job interview, or just hanging out with friends, knowing how to describe behavior is key to social fluency.

Using comportarse correctly requires attention to both its reflexive conjugation and the adverbs that typically follow it. Because it is an -ar verb, its endings are regular, but the reflexive pronoun must always match the subject. This can be tricky for English speakers who are not used to reflexive structures for the verb 'to behave'.

Reflexive Pronoun Placement: The pronoun goes before the conjugated verb (Se comporta bien) or is attached to the end of an infinitive or gerund (Quiere comportarse bien / Está comportándose bien).

Si tú te comportas como un adulto, la gente te tratará con el respeto que mereces.

Often, comportarse is followed by the preposition 'como' (like) to compare someone's behavior to a certain standard or role. For example, 'comportarse como un niño' (to behave like a child) or 'comportarse como un héroe' (to behave like a hero).

Common Adverbs: The most common pairings are with 'bien' and 'mal'. However, for more descriptive Spanish, use 'adecuadamente', 'impecablemente', or 'groseramente'.

Durante la entrevista, él se comportó de manera muy profesional y educada.

No entiendo por qué mi perro se comporta así cuando hay tormenta.

When expressing a wish or a command, we often use the subjunctive mood. For instance, 'Quiero que te comportes' (I want you to behave). This highlights the importance of the verb in expressing social expectations and desires regarding others' actions.

Tense Variations: In the past tense (preterite), it usually describes a specific incident: 'Se comportó mal ayer'. In the imperfect, it describes a habit: 'Siempre se comportaba bien'.

Si todos nos comportamos con civismo, la ciudad será un lugar mejor para vivir.

¿Cómo se comportaría usted si estuviera en mi posición actual?

Using the conditional 'comportaría' is excellent for hypothetical discussions about ethics and social choices. In all these cases, the focus remains on the manner of action. It is a versatile verb that bridges the gap between simple actions and the character of the person performing them.

You will encounter comportarse in a wide variety of real-world scenarios, from the most mundane to the highly sophisticated. In a typical Spanish household, you might hear a parent say to a child before entering a store, 'Prométeme que te vas a comportar'. This is a standard way of asking for good behavior.

In the Classroom: Teachers frequently use this verb to manage the classroom environment. They might say, 'Para ir a la excursión, todos deben comportarse correctamente'.

El profesor felicitó a los alumnos por comportarse de forma excelente en el museo.

In the media, news anchors and journalists use comportarse to analyze the actions of public figures or the stock market. You might hear, 'El mercado se comportó de manera estable a pesar de la crisis política'. This shows the verb's versatility in describing the 'conduct' of non-human entities.

Professional Settings: In a workplace, a manager might discuss how a team member needs to comportarse more professionally during client meetings.

Es vital que todos los empleados sepan comportarse de acuerdo con el código de ética de la empresa.

No es propio de un caballero comportarse con tal falta de cortesía.

In literature and film, comportarse is used to develop character. A protagonist might struggle with how to comportarse in a new, unfamiliar culture. This brings a psychological depth to the word, as it reflects internal values manifesting as external actions.

Scientific Observation: Biologists use the verb to describe animal behavior: 'Las abejas se comportan de forma colectiva para proteger la colmena'.

El experimento mostró cómo se comporta el virus cuando se expone a temperaturas extremas.

Si quieres que te tomen en serio, debes comportarte con mayor madurez.

From the playground to the laboratory, comportarse is the go-to word for describing the 'how' of existence and action.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning comportarse is forgetting the reflexive pronoun. In English, 'to behave' does not require a pronoun (you don't say 'I behave myself' every time, you often just say 'I behaved'). In Spanish, saying 'Yo comporto' is grammatically incomplete and would sound very strange to a native speaker.

Omission of the Pronoun: Incorrect: 'Él comportó muy bien'. Correct: 'Él se comportó muy bien'. Always include the reflexive pronoun that corresponds to the subject.

Es un error común decir 'quiero comportar bien' en lugar de 'quiero comportarme bien'.

Another mistake is confusing comportarse with 'portarse'. While they are often interchangeable, 'portarse' is much more common for children and informal situations. Using comportarse with a toddler might sound slightly too formal, like saying 'conduct yourself' instead of 'behave'.

Preposition Errors: Learners often try to use 'con' (with) when they should use 'como' (like). If you want to say 'behave like a professional', use 'comportarse como un profesional'.

No digas 'se comporta con un loco', di 'se comporta como un loco'.

A veces los estudiantes olvidan acentuar el verbo en el imperativo: '¡Compórtate!' lleva tilde.

A subtle mistake involves the difference between 'comportarse' and 'conducirse'. 'Conducirse' is extremely formal and mostly found in literature or old-fashioned texts. Using it in a bar would be very out of place. Stick to comportarse for most standard and formal situations.

Agreement Mistakes: Ensure the reflexive pronoun agrees with the subject even in complex sentences. 'Nosotros queremos comportarnos' (not comportarse).

Si ellos no saben comportarse, no serán invitados de nuevo a la casa.

Me comporté de forma grosera y ahora me arrepiento profundamente.

By avoiding these pitfalls—especially the missing pronoun—your Spanish will sound much more natural and precise.

While comportarse is the standard term for behaving, Spanish offers several nuances through its synonyms and related terms. Understanding these can help you choose the right word for the right context.

Portarse vs Comportarse: 'Portarse' is the most common alternative. It is used almost exclusively for children or in very informal settings. 'Pórtate bien' is what a mother says to her child. Comportarse is broader and more formal.

El niño se portó de maravilla, pero el adulto no supo comportarse.

'Actuar' (to act) is another alternative, focusing more on the specific actions taken rather than the general conduct. 'Proceder' (to proceed/act) is used in administrative or legal contexts to describe the 'correct way' to act in a procedure.

Conducirse: This is a very elevated, literary term. You might find it in a 19th-century novel or a very formal speech. It implies a high level of self-control and moral guidance.

Él siempre se comporta con dignidad, mientras que otros pierden los estribos.

En lugar de comportarte así, deberías intentar hablar con calma.

On the negative side, 'desmandarse' or 'descontrolarse' can be used as opposites, meaning to behave wildly or lose control. 'Malcomportarse' is not a standard word; instead, we use 'comportarse mal'.

Noun Form: Comportamiento: While 'conducta' is also used, 'comportamiento' is the direct noun derivative of comportarse and is used in psychology, education, and daily life.

Su comportamiento en la oficina ha sido ejemplar desde que empezó.

Es difícil predecir cómo se comportará el clima el próximo verano.

Understanding these synonyms allows you to tailor your Spanish to the specific 'vibe' of the conversation, whether you are being playful with a child or serious in a boardroom.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The English word 'comportment' comes from the same Latin root and shares the meaning of 'bearing' or 'conduct'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kom.porˈtar.se/

US /kom.porˈtɑr.se/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable 'tar' because it ends in a vowel.

Rhymes With

quedarse lavarse sentarse llamarse pararse mirarse quejarse casarse

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'e' like an 'ee' (e.g., comportar-see). It should be a short 'eh'.
Forgetting the reflexive pronoun 'se' when saying the verb.
Stress on the first syllable instead of the third.
Not tapping the 'r' sounds.
Merging the 'm' and 'p' too softly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to its consistent reflexive form.

Writing 3/5

Requires careful attention to reflexive pronoun agreement and adverb placement.

Speaking 3/5

The reflexive nature can be a hurdle for beginners to use fluently in conversation.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it relatively easy to catch in spoken Spanish.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ser estar hacer bien mal

Learn Next

actuar proceder reaccionar educación respeto

Advanced

idiosincrasia decoro etiqueta protocolo conductismo

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Pronouns

Yo **me** comporto, tú **te** comportas, él **se** comporta.

Adverbial Phrases

Se comporta **de manera** inteligente.

Subjunctive with Wishes

Quiero que **te comportes** bien.

Imperative with Reflexives

¡**Compórtate**! (Tú form)

Infinitive with Pronouns

Vas a **comportarte** bien.

Examples by Level

Yo me comporto bien en la escuela.

I behave well at school.

Uses present tense 'me comporto' with the reflexive pronoun 'me'.

El niño se comporta mal a veces.

The boy behaves badly sometimes.

Third person singular 'se comporta'.

¿Tú te comportas bien en casa?

Do you behave well at home?

Question form with 'te comportas'.

Nosotros nos comportamos bien con el abuelo.

We behave well with grandfather.

First person plural 'nos comportamos'.

Ellos se comportan muy bien hoy.

They are behaving very well today.

Third person plural 'se comportan'.

Mi perro se comporta bien en el parque.

My dog behaves well in the park.

Subject is 'mi perro', using 'se comporta'.

¡Compórtate, por favor!

Behave yourself, please!

Imperative (command) form 'compórtate'.

Ella siempre se comporta como una princesa.

She always behaves like a princess.

Uses 'como' to make a comparison.

Ayer se comportaron de forma excelente en el museo.

Yesterday they behaved excellently at the museum.

Preterite tense 'se comportaron'.

Debes comportarte mejor cuando visitemos a la tía.

You must behave better when we visit aunt.

Infinitive 'comportarte' attached to the pronoun.

Me comporté un poco mal en la fiesta de ayer.

I behaved a bit badly at yesterday's party.

First person preterite 'me comporté'.

El gato se comporta de manera extraña cuando llueve.

The cat behaves in a strange way when it rains.

Phrase 'de manera extraña' describes the behavior.

No es difícil comportarse bien si escuchas las reglas.

It is not difficult to behave well if you listen to the rules.

Infinitive 'comportarse' used as a subject.

¿Cómo se comportó tu hermano en el viaje?

How did your brother behave on the trip?

Interrogative with preterite 'se comportó'.

Queremos que todos se comporten como adultos.

We want everyone to behave like adults.

Present subjunctive 'se comporten' after 'querer que'.

Ella se está comportando muy bien esta semana.

She is behaving very well this week.

Present progressive 'se está comportando'.

Si te comportas de forma profesional, tendrás éxito.

If you behave professionally, you will have success.

Conditional 'si' clause with present indicative.

Espero que te comportes adecuadamente en la reunión.

I hope you behave appropriately in the meeting.

Subjunctive 'comportes' expressing a wish.

El mercado se comportó de forma inestable el mes pasado.

The market behaved unstably last month.

Metaphorical use for the economy.

Me sorprendió que se comportara con tanta calma.

It surprised me that he behaved with such calm.

Imperfect subjunctive 'se comportara' after a verb of emotion.

Siempre se comportaba como si fuera el jefe de todos.

He always behaved as if he were everyone's boss.

Imperfect indicative 'se comportaba' for habitual action.

No sé cómo comportarme en situaciones tan formales.

I don't know how to behave in such formal situations.

Indirect question with infinitive 'comportarme'.

Los científicos estudian cómo se comporta el virus.

Scientists study how the virus behaves.

Scientific context for the verb.

Debemos comportarnos con respeto hacia los demás.

We must behave with respect toward others.

Modal verb 'deber' followed by infinitive.

Si yo fuera tú, me comportaría con más prudencia.

If I were you, I would behave with more prudence.

Conditional 'me comportaría' in a hypothetical sentence.

Se comportó como un verdadero líder durante la crisis.

He behaved like a true leader during the crisis.

Preterite describing a defining moment of character.

Es fundamental que los ciudadanos se comporten con civismo.

It is fundamental that citizens behave with civility.

Subjunctive 'se comporten' after 'es fundamental que'.

A pesar de las provocaciones, ella supo comportarse.

Despite the provocations, she knew how to behave.

Infinitive used to mean 'to maintain decorum'.

El software se comporta de forma diferente en cada sistema.

The software behaves differently on each system.

Technical use of the verb.

No entiendo por qué se comporta de manera tan hostil.

I don't understand why he behaves in such a hostile way.

Using 'de manera' to describe a complex attitude.

Se han comportado de forma ejemplar durante todo el año.

They have behaved in an exemplary way all year.

Present perfect 'se han comportado'.

Ojalá se comportaran así siempre, pero es difícil.

I wish they behaved like that always, but it's hard.

Imperfect subjunctive 'se comportaran' with 'ojalá'.

El acusado se comportó con una frialdad que aterró al jurado.

The accused behaved with a coldness that terrified the jury.

High-level descriptive preterite.

La materia se comporta de forma cuántica a escalas mínimas.

Matter behaves in a quantum way at minimal scales.

Advanced scientific context.

Es imperativo que la delegación se comporte con diplomacia.

It is imperative that the delegation behaves with diplomacy.

Formal administrative language.

No basta con ser inteligente; hay que saber comportarse.

It is not enough to be intelligent; one must know how to behave.

Philosophical observation on social skills.

Se comportó de forma un tanto errática tras recibir la noticia.

He behaved somewhat erratically after receiving the news.

Nuanced description with 'un tanto'.

Dudo que se comporte de forma distinta en el futuro.

I doubt he will behave differently in the future.

Subjunctive after 'dudar que'.

La empresa se comportó de manera ética ante el escándalo.

The company behaved ethically in the face of the scandal.

Corporate and ethical context.

Siempre se ha comportado como un hombre de principios.

He has always behaved like a man of principle.

Present perfect describing long-term character.

La economía se comportó de forma procíclica durante la década.

The economy behaved procyclically during the decade.

Highly specialized economic terminology.

Resulta fascinante observar cómo se comporta el lenguaje vivo.

It is fascinating to observe how living language behaves.

Linguistic and abstract context.

Se comportó con una altivez propia de la antigua aristocracia.

He behaved with a haughtiness typical of the old aristocracy.

Literary and historical description.

El sistema se comportará según los parámetros establecidos.

The system will behave according to the established parameters.

Future tense in a technical specification.

Es difícil que un individuo se comporte al margen de su cultura.

It is difficult for an individual to behave outside of their culture.

Sociological and philosophical observation.

Habría sido mejor que se comportaran con mayor transparencia.

It would have been better if they had behaved with more transparency.

Pluperfect subjunctive in a conditional context.

Se comportó de forma heroica, arriesgando su vida por los demás.

He behaved heroically, risking his life for others.

Narrative preterite with high emotional weight.

El protagonista se comporta como un antihéroe posmoderno.

The protagonist behaves like a postmodern antihero.

Literary criticism context.

Common Collocations

comportarse bien

comportarse mal

comportarse como un adulto

comportarse adecuadamente

comportarse de manera profesional

comportarse de forma extraña

comportarse con respeto

comportarse con dignidad

saber comportarse

aprender a comportarse

Common Phrases

No sabe comportarse.

— Said of someone who lacks manners or social skills. It is a common social criticism.

Fue una vergüenza; él simplemente no sabe comportarse.

¿Cómo se comporta?

— A question asking about someone's current or typical conduct. It is very common in reports.

¿Cómo se comporta el nuevo alumno en clase?

Compórtate.

— A direct command telling someone to act better. It is short and firm.

¡Compórtate! Estamos en un funeral.

Comportarse a la altura.

— To behave in a way that meets the high expectations of a specific situation. It implies maturity.

Se comportó a la altura de las circunstancias.

Comportarse de maravilla.

— To behave excellently or perfectly. It is a very positive evaluation.

Mi hijo se comportó de maravilla en el avión.

Comportarse como un loco.

— To behave in a wild, irrational, or extreme way. It is used colloquially.

Estaba tan enojado que se comportó como un loco.

Comportarse como es debido.

— To behave as one should. It refers to following established social norms.

Espero que todos se comporten como es debido.

Comportarse con naturalidad.

— To behave naturally or without affectation. Often advised in interviews.

Lo mejor es comportarse con naturalidad.

Comportarse como un señor.

— To behave like a gentleman, with great dignity and respect. It is a high compliment.

A pesar del insulto, se comportó como un señor.

Saber estar y comportarse.

— To have social poise and know how to act in any environment. It is a valued trait.

Ella tiene clase; sabe estar y comportarse.

Often Confused With

comportarse vs comportar

Without the 'se', it means 'to entail' or 'to involve'. For example, 'Esto comporta un gran riesgo' (This involves a great risk).

comportarse vs compartir

Means 'to share'. It sounds similar but has a completely different meaning and conjugation.

comportarse vs componer

Means 'to compose' or 'to fix'. It is unrelated to behavior.

Idioms & Expressions

"Comportarse como un animal"

— To behave in a rude, violent, or uncivilized way. It is a strong insult.

Se comportó como un animal en la fiesta y rompió todo.

informal

"Comportarse como un crío"

— To behave like a small child, usually implying immaturity in an adult.

Deja de comportarte como un crío y asume tu responsabilidad.

informal

"Comportarse como un caballero"

— To act with honor, politeness, and dignity. It is a traditional compliment.

Él se comportó como un caballero durante toda la velada.

neutral

"Comportarse como un energúmeno"

— To behave like a madman or someone possessed, usually with great anger.

Empezó a gritar y a comportarse como un energúmeno.

informal

"Comportarse como un héroe"

— To act with extraordinary courage or selflessness. It is a high praise.

Se comportó como un héroe al salvar a los niños del fuego.

neutral

"Comportarse como un bicho raro"

— To behave in a very strange or eccentric way that alienates others.

Desde que volvió, se comporta como un bicho raro.

informal

"Comportarse como Dios manda"

— To behave exactly as social or moral rules dictate. 'As God commands'.

En esta casa te vas a comportar como Dios manda.

informal/traditional

"Comportarse como un salvaje"

— To behave without any regard for social rules or civilization.

No podéis comportaros como unos salvajes en el restaurante.

informal

"Comportarse como un profesional"

— To maintain a business-like attitude regardless of personal feelings.

Aunque no le caía bien, se comportó como un profesional.

neutral

"Comportarse como un idiota"

— To act foolishly or in a way that is annoying to others.

Siento haberme comportado como un idiota anoche.

informal

Easily Confused

comportarse vs portarse

They are synonyms.

Portarse is more colloquial and common with children. Comportarse is more general and formal. You can always use comportarse, but you can't always use portarse in formal writing.

Los niños se portan bien. El mercado se comporta de forma estable.

comportarse vs actuar

Both involve doing something.

Actuar refers to the specific action or playing a part. Comportarse refers to the overall manner or conduct of the person over a period or in a social context.

Actuó rápido para apagar el fuego. Se comporta bien en la oficina.

comportarse vs conducir

Related to 'conducirse'.

Conducir means 'to drive' or 'to lead'. Conducirse means 'to behave' (very formal). Comportarse is the standard word everyone uses.

Conduzco mi coche. Se comporta con educación.

comportarse vs proceder

Both relate to how one acts.

Proceder is about following a formal procedure or legal way of acting. Comportarse is about personal conduct and manners.

Procedieron a arrestarlo. Se comportó de forma grosera.

comportarse vs tratar

Involves interaction.

Tratar means 'to treat' someone else. Comportarse is how you act yourself. You can behave well while treating someone poorly.

Trata bien a sus amigos. Se comporta con timidez.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + [Pronoun] + comporta + bien/mal.

El perro se comporta bien.

[Subject] + [Pronoun] + comportó + [Adverb] + ayer.

Me comporté bien ayer.

Espero que + [Subject] + [Pronoun] + comporte + [Adverb].

Espero que te comportes bien.

Si + [Subject] + [Pronoun] + comportara + [Adverb]...

Si él se comportara mejor, tendría amigos.

[Subject] + se comporta + de forma + [Adjective].

La economía se comporta de forma volátil.

Resulta [Adjective] cómo + [Subject] + se comporta...

Resulta intrigante cómo se comporta el sistema.

[Subject] + debe + comportarse + con + [Noun].

Debes comportarte con respeto.

[Subject] + se está + comportando + [Adverb].

Se está comportando muy mal.

Word Family

Nouns

comportamiento (behavior)

porte (bearing/presence)

Verbs

comportar (to involve/entail)

portar (to carry/wear)

Adjectives

comportado (behaved - used with 'bien' or 'mal')

conducta

procedimiento

actuación

educación

modales

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in both spoken and written Spanish across all regions.

Common Mistakes

Yo comporto bien. → Yo me comporto bien.
You must use the reflexive pronoun 'me' because the verb is reflexive. In Spanish, you behave 'yourself'.
Él se comporta con un profesional. → Él se comporta como un profesional.
Use 'como' (like) instead of 'con' (with) when making a comparison of behavior to a role or person.
Quiero comportarse bien. → Quiero comportarme bien.
When the verb is in the infinitive, the reflexive pronoun must still match the subject (yo -> me).
Ellos se comportaron malo. → Ellos se comportaron mal.
Use the adverb 'mal' (badly) instead of the adjective 'malo' (bad) to describe how someone behaved.
¡Comportate! → ¡Compórtate!
The command form requires an accent mark on the stressed syllable 'pór' because it is an esdrújula word when the pronoun is attached.

Tips

Don't forget the 'se'

The most important thing for learners is to remember the reflexive pronoun. Without 'me, te, se', the sentence is incomplete. Think of it as 'I behave myself' even if we don't always say it that way in English.

Use 'como' for comparisons

If you want to say someone is behaving 'like' something, always use 'como'. For example, 'Se comporta como un niño' (He behaves like a child). This is a very common pattern in Spanish.

Use it to show respect

Using 'comportarse' instead of 'portarse' in professional settings shows that you have a higher level of Spanish and understand social nuances. It sounds more mature and respectful.

Pair with 'de manera'

To sound more like a native writer, use 'se comporta de manera...' followed by an adjective. For example, 'se comporta de manera sospechosa' sounds better than just 'se comporta sospechosamente'.

Stress the 'tar'

Make sure the stress is on the third syllable: com-por-TAR-se. Many learners accidentally stress the second syllable, which can make it harder for natives to understand.

Think of 'comportment'

If you know the English word 'comportment' (meaning bearing or conduct), it is much easier to remember 'comportarse'. They share the same Latin root and nearly the same meaning.

Commands

If you are speaking to a child, '¡Compórtate!' is a very useful command. It is firm but polite. It's one of those essential 'parenting' words in Spanish.

Abstract Subjects

Remember that 'comportarse' isn't just for people. You can use it to describe how your car, your computer, or even the weather is 'behaving'. It makes your Spanish sound very natural.

Saber estar

The phrase 'saber comportarse' is closely linked to the Spanish concept of 'saber estar'. It’s about more than just rules; it’s about having the social intelligence to fit into any situation.

Check the tense

When describing a past event, decide if it was a one-time thing (se comportó) or a habit (se comportaba). This distinction is key for telling stories about people's characters.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'comportarse' as 'carrying' (portar) your 'company' (com) manners with yourself (se). You are carrying your own social weight.

Visual Association

Imagine a person carrying a heavy invisible box labeled 'MANNERS' while walking through a crowd. How they carry it is how they 'comportarse'.

Word Web

social reflexive manners conduct rules bien mal professional

Challenge

Try to use 'comportarse' in three different tenses today: 'Me comporto', 'Me comporté', and 'Me comportaré'.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'comportare', which is composed of the prefix 'com-' (together) and the verb 'portare' (to carry).

Original meaning: Originally, it meant 'to carry together' or 'to bring together'. Over time, it evolved to mean 'to carry oneself' or 'to conduct oneself'.

Romance (Latin origin)

Cultural Context

Be careful when telling an adult to 'behave' (¡compórtate!), as it can be patronizing unless the situation clearly warrants it.

English speakers often use 'to act' where Spanish speakers would specifically use comportarse to emphasize the social quality of the action.

The phrase 'Saber comportarse' is a common title for etiquette books in Spanish. Many Spanish songs mention 'comportarse' when dealing with heartbreak or social pressure. Psychology textbooks in Spanish use 'El Comportamiento' as a standard translation for 'Behavioral Science'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At School

Comportarse en clase
Comportarse con los compañeros
Saber comportarse en el recreo
Comportarse durante el examen

At Work

Comportarse profesionalmente
Comportarse con los clientes
Comportarse en la oficina
Comportarse bajo presión

At Home

Comportarse con los padres
Comportarse en la mesa
Comportarse con los hermanos
Comportarse cuando hay visitas

In Public

Comportarse en el transporte público
Comportarse en un restaurante
Comportarse en la calle
Comportarse en el cine

Formal Events

Comportarse en una boda
Comportarse con elegancia
Comportarse con decoro
Comportarse según el protocolo

Conversation Starters

"¿Crees que es importante comportarse siempre de forma educada?"

"¿Cómo se comportan los turistas en tu ciudad generalmente?"

"¿Alguna vez te has comportado de forma extraña por los nervios?"

"¿Qué haces cuando alguien no sabe comportarse en público?"

"¿Cómo se debe comportar uno en una entrevista de trabajo?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una situación en la que te sentiste orgulloso de cómo te comportaste.

Escribe sobre un momento en el que alguien se comportó de forma heroica.

¿Cómo crees que deberían comportarse los políticos en las redes sociales?

Reflexiona sobre cómo ha cambiado la forma en que la gente se comporta en público en los últimos diez años.

Describe cómo se comporta tu mascota cuando tiene hambre o quiere jugar.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, when it means 'to behave', it is always reflexive. You must use me, te, se, nos, os, or se depending on the subject. For example, 'Yo me comporto' or 'Ellos se comportan'. If you don't use the reflexive pronoun, the meaning changes to 'to entail' or 'to involve', which is a much less common usage.

They are very similar, but 'portarse' is more informal and commonly used by parents with children. 'Comportarse' is more formal and used for adults, professional settings, or technical descriptions. For example, you would say 'Pórtate bien' to a child, but 'Debe comportarse con profesionalidad' in a business meeting.

The most common way is '¡Compórtate!' for one person you know well (tú), or '¡Compórtense!' for a group. You can also say 'Pórtate bien', which is very common. Both imply that the person should follow social rules and act appropriately.

Yes! It is often used in science and economics to describe how systems or materials react. For example, 'El metal se comporta de forma elástica' (The metal behaves elastically) or 'La bolsa se comporta de forma volátil' (The stock market behaves volatilely).

The most frequent adverbs are 'bien' (well) and 'mal' (badly). In more formal Spanish, you will often see 'adecuadamente' (appropriately), 'profesionalmente' (professionally), 'educadamente' (politely), and 'extrañamente' (strangely).

Yes, 'comportarse' is a regular -ar verb. Its endings follow the standard pattern: -o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an. The only tricky part is remembering to include and change the reflexive pronoun to match the subject.

In the preterite (completed actions), you say things like 'Él se comportó muy bien ayer'. In the imperfect (habits or descriptions in the past), you say 'Él siempre se comportaba bien'. Both are very common depending on whether you are talking about a specific event or a general habit.

No, for acting in a play or movie, you should use the verb 'actuar'. 'Comportarse' only refers to social conduct and behavior in real life or as a character trait, not the professional performance of an actor.

It means 'to know how to behave' or 'to have good social manners'. It is often used as a compliment for someone who is poised and polite in any situation. For example, 'Ella es muy joven pero ya sabe comportarse en eventos formales'.

Yes, the meaning and usage are consistent across the Spanish-speaking world. The only difference might be that some regions prefer 'portarse' more than others in daily speech, but everyone understands and uses 'comportarse' in formal and general contexts.