The 'Se' Passive Voice (Vendem-se casas)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'se' with a third-person verb to describe actions where the agent is unknown or irrelevant.
- The verb must agree with the subject: 'Vendem-se casas' (plural).
- The verb must agree with the subject: 'Vende-se uma casa' (singular).
- If the subject is missing, use the singular: 'Vive-se bem aqui'.
Overview
The 'se' passive voice, known in Portuguese as the voz passiva sintética or pronominal, is a versatile and common grammatical structure used to express a passive idea without naming the agent. Instead of saying "A car is sold by someone," you can simply state Vende-se um carro (A car is sold/for sale). This construction shifts the focus away from the doer of the action and places it squarely on the object and the action it undergoes.
You'll encounter it constantly in advertisements, public notices, news headlines, and formal instructions, where the agent is either unknown, irrelevant, or intentionally omitted for objectivity.
At the B2 level, mastering this pattern is not just about understanding signs that say Alugam-se quartos (Rooms for rent). It's about grasping a core principle of Portuguese sentence structure: the promotion of a direct object to the grammatical subject. The verb must then agree with this new subject in number (singular or plural).
For example, Vende-se o apartamento (singular) becomes Vendem-se os apartamentos (plural). This verb agreement is the defining feature of the true 'se' passive and is fundamental for producing elegant, idiomatic, and grammatically correct Portuguese.
This structure offers a more concise alternative to the analytic passive voice (ser + participle), making it a frequent choice in both written and spoken language. Understanding its mechanics, particularly how it contrasts with the impersonal 'se', is a hallmark of an advanced intermediate learner.
How This Grammar Works
se in this context functions as a partícula apassivadora (passivizing particle). Its sole job is to signal that the grammatical subject is the receiver, not the performer, of the verb's action.A editora publicou novos livros (The publisher published new books). To convert this to the 'se' passive, you perform three steps:- 1Omit the Agent: The agent (
a editora) is removed entirely. The focus is no longer on who did the publishing. - 2Promote the Direct Object: The direct object (
novos livros) becomes the new grammatical subject of the sentence. - 3Add
seand Agree the Verb: Theseparticle is added, and the verb (publicar) is conjugated to agree in number with the new subject (novos livros). Since the subject is plural, the verb becomespublicaram.
Publicaram-se novos livros (New books were published). The verb is in the third-person plural because its subject, novos livros, is plural. This agreement is the critical test for identifying a true 'se' passive construction.A empresa | desenvolve | um novo software | The company performs the action. |um novo software | desenvolve-se | (none) | The software is the subject and receives the action. The verb is singular to agree with software. |novos softwares, the result would be Desenvolvem-se novos softwares. This direct link between the noun and the verb conjugation is the heart of the 'se' passive mechanism. It functions exclusively with verbs that can have a direct object, as that object is needed to become the new subject.Formation Pattern
se (proclisis vs. enclisis) and the verb's conjugation, which must always agree with the subject.
[Verb in 3rd Person Sg/Pl] + -se + [Singular/Plural Subject] (Formal / European Portuguese)
se + [Verb in 3rd Person Sg/Pl] + [Singular/Plural Subject] (Informal / Brazilian Portuguese / Proclitic contexts)
o relatório (the report) and as regras (the rules).
o relatório) | Plural Subject (as regras) | Explanation |
Entrega-se o relatório hoje. | Definem-se as regras claramente. | The action happens regularly or is happening now. |
Entregou-se o relatório ontem. | Definiram-se as regras na reunião. | A completed action in the past. |
Entregava-se o relatório toda semana.| Definiam-se as regras anualmente. | A habitual or ongoing action in the past. |
Entregar-se-á o relatório amanhã. (EP/Formal) / O relatório vai ser entregue amanhã. (BP) | Definir-se-ão as regras depois. (EP/Formal) / As regras vão ser definidas depois. (BP) | An action that will happen. Note the use of mesoclisis in formal Portuguese. |
É importante que se entregue o relatório.| É preciso que se definam as regras. | Used after expressions of doubt, desire, or necessity. |
Seria bom se se entregasse o relatório.| Pedi que se definissem as regras. | Used for hypothetical situations or reported requests in the past. |
entregou-se matches relatório (singular), while definiram-se matches regras (plural). The complexity comes from applying the correct verb tense and, as we'll see next, correctly placing the se particle.
Word Order Rules
se particle is not arbitrary; it follows strict rules that determine whether it comes before the verb (proclisis) or after it (enclisis). In some formal cases, it can even go inside the verb (mesoclisis).se is attached to the verb with a hyphen.Construiu-se uma nova ponte.(A new bridge was built.)Discutem-se vários temas na conferência.(Various topics are discussed at the conference.)
não, nunca, ninguém, jamais | Aqui não se falam outras línguas. (Other languages are not spoken here.) |que, quando, se, porque | Ele disse que se venderam todos os bilhetes. (He said that all tickets were sold.) |que, quem, cujo, onde | Os documentos que se perderam eram importantes. (The documents that were lost were important.) |quem, o que, como, quando | Quando se anunciaram os vencedores? (When were the winners announced?) |tudo, todos, alguém, sempre, já | Naquele escritório, tudo se resolve com um email. (In that office, everything is resolved with an email.) |- Future:
Anunciar-se-ão os resultados amanhã.(The results will be announced tomorrow.) - Conditional:
Anunciar-se-iam os resultados, se houvesse tempo.(The results would be announced, if there were time.)
Os resultados vão ser anunciados or Os resultados seriam anunciados.When To Use It
- When the agent is unknown or completely irrelevant. This is the most common reason. The focus is on the event, not the person behind it.
Encontrou-se uma solução para o problema.(A solution to the problem was found.) It doesn't matter who found it.
- When the agent is general, obvious, or 'people in general'. The structure avoids stating the obvious.
Aqui se fala espanhol.(Spanish is spoken here.) The agent is clearly "people here".Não se deve julgar os outros.(One shouldn't judge others.)
- For formal, objective, or scientific writing. Using the 'se' passive lends an air of impersonality and objectivity, which is valued in academic papers, news reports, and legal documents.
Observaram-se mudanças significativas no comportamento do material.(Significant changes were observed in the material's behavior.)
- For public notices, signs, and advertisements. This is the classic use case due to its concise and direct nature.
Vendem-se carros usados.(Used cars for sale.),Procuram-se funcionários com experiência.(Employees with experience wanted.),Dão-se aulas de piano.(Piano lessons are given.)
Common Mistakes
*Vende-se casas. This is grammatically incorrect in standard Portuguese because casas is the subject. The verb must agree with it.- Incorrect:
*Aluga-se apartamentos. - Correct:
Alugam-se apartamentos.(Becauseapartamentosis plural.)
- 'Se' Passive:
Consertam-se sapatos.(Shoes are repaired.) -sapatosis the subject. - Impersonal 'se':
Precisa-se de cozinheiros.(Cooks are needed.) - The verb is singular becausede cozinheirosis a prepositional object, not a subject. The subject is indeterminate. - Incorrect:
*Precisam-se de cozinheiros.
- Incorrect:
*Vendem-se os carros pela concessionária. - Correct: To include the agent, you must use the analytic passive:
Os carros são vendidos pela concessionária.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
se or express passivity.ser + Participle)Voz Passiva Sintética) | Analytic Passive (Voz Passiva Analítica) |por or pelo/pela. |(se) + verbo 3ª pessoa + sujeito | sujeito + ser + particípio (+ por + agente) |Abriu-se uma nova loja. | Uma nova loja foi aberta. |Uma nova loja foi aberta pelos novos donos. |Índice de Indeterminação do Sujeito)vender algo) | Intransitive (vive-se), Transitive Indirect (precisar de algo), or verbo de ligação (é-se). |Vendem-se casas -> Casas são vendidas. (Correct) | The noun cannot become the subject: Vive-se bem aqui. -> *Bem é vivido. (Incorrect) |Analisam-se os dados. | Fala-se muito sobre política. |- Reflexive:
A menina se penteia.(The girl combs her own hair.) - The subject (A menina) and object are the same. - 'Se' Passive:
Penteiam-se cães neste pet shop.(Dogs are groomed in this pet shop.) - The dogs (cães) are not grooming themselves; an external agent is doing it.
Real Conversations
Here’s how the 'se' passive appears in modern, everyday communication, not just on signs.
WhatsApp / Texting:
> Ana: Viu que abriram uma padaria nova na nossa rua?
> Bruno: Vi sim! E disseram que se vendem os melhores pastéis de nata da cidade.
(Translation: Ana: Did you see they opened a new bakery on our street? Bruno: Yes! And they said the best pastéis de nata in the city are sold there.)
Social Media Post (Instagram Story Poll):
> Caption: Qual filme deveria ser assistido hoje à noite? Votem! 👇
(Translation: Which movie should be watched tonight? Vote! 👇)
Work Email (Formal):
> Subject: Atualização Importante
> Prezados,
> Informamos que se adiaram as entrevistas agendadas para amanhã devido a um imprevisto. Novas datas serão comunicadas em breve.
(Translation: Dear all, We are writing to inform you that the interviews scheduled for tomorrow have been postponed due to an unforeseen issue. New dates will be communicated shortly.)
News Headline:
> Aprovou-se a nova legislação ambiental com ampla maioria.
(Translation: The new environmental legislation was approved with a large majority.)
Quick FAQ
vende-se casas with a singular verb?In very informal, spoken Brazilian Portuguese, this is a common phenomenon. However, it is considered grammatically incorrect by all prescriptive standards. For a B2 learner aiming for proficiency, especially in writing and formal speech, you must use the correct plural agreement: vendem-se casas. Treating it as a fixed, impersonal phrase (vende-se + object) is a feature of a less formal register.
Procura-se um assistente and Procura-se por um assistente?Grammatically, they are different structures. Procura-se um assistente is the true 'se' passive, where um assistente is the subject. Procura-se por um assistente uses the impersonal 'se', where the verb is intransitive (thanks to the preposition por), the subject is indeterminate, and por um assistente is a prepositional object. In practice, both are used to mean "an assistant is wanted," but the first focuses more on the position being available, while the second emphasizes the act of searching.
aluga-se on some signs and alugam-se on others?This depends on what is being rented. If the sign is for a single unit, it will be Aluga-se apartamento (singular subject apartamento, singular verb aluga). If it's for multiple units, it must be Alugam-se quartos (plural subject quartos, plural verb alugam). The sign-writer is simply following the core rule of verb agreement.
The structure is essential and frequently used in both variants. The main difference lies in pronoun placement. In an affirmative sentence, European Portuguese strongly favors enclisis (vende-se), while Brazilian Portuguese defaults to proclisis (se vende). The underlying grammar of verb agreement and the contrast with the impersonal 'se' are the same for both.
Passive 'Se' Agreement
| Object | Verb (Singular) | Verb (Plural) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Casa
|
Vende-se
|
-
|
Vende-se uma casa.
|
|
Casas
|
-
|
Vendem-se
|
Vendem-se casas.
|
|
Carro
|
Aluga-se
|
-
|
Aluga-se um carro.
|
|
Carros
|
-
|
Alugam-se
|
Alugam-se carros.
|
|
Livro
|
Lê-se
|
-
|
Lê-se um livro.
|
|
Livros
|
-
|
Lêem-se
|
Lêem-se livros.
|
Meanings
The 'se' passive is used to focus on the object of an action rather than the person performing it. It is the standard way to express 'is/are [past participle]' in Portuguese.
Passive voice
Focusing on the object receiving the action.
“Vendem-se carros.”
“Consertam-se relógios.”
Impersonal subject
General statements where the subject is 'people in general'.
“Vive-se bem no Brasil.”
“Trabalha-se muito aqui.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + se + Noun
|
Vendem-se casas.
|
|
Negative
|
Não + se + Verb + Noun
|
Não se vendem casas.
|
|
Question
|
Verb + se + Noun?
|
Vendem-se casas?
|
|
Impersonal
|
Verb + se
|
Vive-se bem aqui.
|
|
Plural Object
|
Verb(pl) + se + Noun(pl)
|
Alugam-se quartos.
|
|
Singular Object
|
Verb(sg) + se + Noun(sg)
|
Aluga-se um quarto.
|
Formality Spectrum
Vende-se esta propriedade. (Real estate)
Vende-se casa. (Real estate)
Tô vendendo uma casa. (Real estate)
Tem casa à venda aí. (Real estate)
Is it Passive?
Is the object inanimate?
Examples by Level
Vende-se casa.
House for sale.
Aluga-se quarto.
Room for rent.
Conserta-se sapato.
Shoes repaired.
Faz-se chave.
Keys made.
Vendem-se carros aqui.
Cars are sold here.
Não se vendem bebidas.
Drinks are not sold.
Comem-se muitas frutas.
Many fruits are eaten.
Falam-se línguas aqui.
Languages are spoken here.
Alugam-se apartamentos mobiliados.
Furnished apartments are for rent.
Aceitam-se cartões de crédito.
Credit cards are accepted.
Procuram-se funcionários qualificados.
Qualified employees are sought.
Discutem-se novos projetos.
New projects are discussed.
Constroem-se novas estradas.
New roads are being built.
Publicam-se artigos científicos.
Scientific articles are published.
Requerem-se conhecimentos técnicos.
Technical knowledge is required.
Observam-se mudanças climáticas.
Climate changes are observed.
Desenvolvem-se estratégias complexas.
Complex strategies are developed.
Reconhecem-se os méritos do autor.
The author's merits are recognized.
Implementam-se novas políticas.
New policies are implemented.
Avaliam-se os riscos envolvidos.
The risks involved are evaluated.
Depreendem-se conclusões lógicas.
Logical conclusions are inferred.
Exigem-se padrões rigorosos.
Rigorous standards are demanded.
Preservam-se tradições ancestrais.
Ancestral traditions are preserved.
Percebem-se nuances sutis.
Subtle nuances are perceived.
Easily Confused
Learners confuse passive 'se' (things) with reflexive 'se' (people).
Learners try to pluralize the verb in impersonal structures.
Learners use 'ser' + participle when 'se' is more natural.
Common Mistakes
Vende-se casas
Vendem-se casas
Se vende casa
Vende-se casa
Vendem-se casa
Vende-se casa
Vende-se a casa
Vende-se casa
Não vende-se casas
Não se vendem casas
Aluga-se apartamentos
Alugam-se apartamentos
Se alugam apartamentos
Alugam-se apartamentos
Precisa-se de funcionários
Precisam-se de funcionários
Vende-se os carros
Vendem-se os carros
Comem-se muito
Come-se muito
Dizem-se que...
Diz-se que...
Fazem-se necessário
Faz-se necessário
Vêem-se problemas
Vê-se problemas
Constroem-se a ponte
Constrói-se a ponte
Sentence Patterns
___-se ___.
Não se ___ ___.
___-se bem aqui.
___-se que ___.
Real World Usage
Vendem-se móveis usados.
Preparam-se pratos típicos.
Procuram-se profissionais.
Diz-se que vai chover.
Observam-se mudanças.
Aluga-se.
Check the Noun
Don't use with agents
Formal Writing
Dialectal variation
Smart Tips
Check the verb. It must be plural.
Move the 'se' before the verb.
Use the passive 'se' to sound objective.
Ask: 'Can this object do the action?' If no, use passive 'se'.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'se' often links to the next word.
Falling
Vende-se casa ↘
Statement of fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Se is the key, agreement is the lock.
Visual Association
Imagine a house with a 'For Sale' sign. The sign is the 'Se'. If there are two houses, the sign grows a second 'e' (Vendem-se) to match the plural.
Rhyme
Se o objeto é um, o verbo é singular; se são muitos, o plural deve acompanhar.
Story
Maria walked down the street. She saw a sign: 'Aluga-se quarto'. She needed a room. She asked the owner, 'Do you have more?' The owner replied, 'Yes, Alugam-se quartos'. Maria understood: one room, one verb; many rooms, many verbs.
Word Web
Challenge
Go to a Portuguese classifieds website (like OLX.pt or OLX.com.br) and find 5 ads using the 'se' passive.
Cultural Notes
In Brazil, you will often hear 'Se vende' (proclisis) even in formal contexts, though 'Vende-se' is the standard.
Portugal strictly adheres to 'Vende-se' (enclisis) in formal writing.
The 'se' passive is the preferred way to write signs.
Derived from the Latin reflexive pronoun 'se'.
Conversation Starters
O que se vende na sua cidade?
Como se vive no seu país?
O que se diz sobre o futuro?
Aceitam-se animais no seu prédio?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
___-se casas aqui. (vender)
Qual é a forma correta?
Find and fix the mistake:
Não vende-se carros.
falam / se / línguas / muitas
___-se (aceitar) cartões.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
O 'se' passivo pode ser usado com qualquer verbo.
A: O que se faz aqui? B: ___ (fazer) pães.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises___-se casas aqui. (vender)
Qual é a forma correta?
Find and fix the mistake:
Não vende-se carros.
falam / se / línguas / muitas
___-se (aceitar) cartões.
Vende-se casa / Vendem-se casas
O 'se' passivo pode ser usado com qualquer verbo.
A: O que se faz aqui? B: ___ (fazer) pães.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercises______-se motorista com experiência.
Não ______ nada aqui.
Identify the correct plural agreement.
Concerta-se sapatos e bolsas.
Make a question asking 'How do you say this?'
Connect the pairs.
______-se novas regras amanhã.
______-se flores naturais.
Which sentence uses the synthetic passive?
Put the words in order.
Translate: English is spoken here.
Não vende-se fiado.
Dizem que ______ muitas mentiras na internet.
Score: /13
FAQ (8)
No, only transitive verbs can form the passive 'se'.
Because 'casas' is plural. The verb must agree.
It is common in Brazil, but 'Vende-se' is the standard.
Then it is an impersonal structure, and the verb is singular.
Yes, it sounds very professional.
No, reflexive is for people; passive is for things.
Put 'não' before the 'se'.
Yes, it is very common in both Portugal and Brazil.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se vende / Se venden
Placement of 'se' is more flexible in Spanish.
On
Portuguese 'se' is more versatile.
Man
German lacks the passive 'se' construction.
Passive form (reru/rareru)
Portuguese uses a particle, Japanese uses conjugation.
Passive conjugation (u-i)
Portuguese uses a separate word.
Bei (被)
Portuguese 'se' omits the agent entirely.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
The 'SE' Passive: Professional Portuguese (Voz Passiva Sintética)
Ever walked past a dusty window in Lisbon and seen a sign saying `Vende-se`? Or maybe you were scrolling through a Brazi...
Anacoluthon for Rhetorical Effect (Broken Sentence Logic)
Overview Have you ever started a sentence and then completely changed your mind halfway through? We all do it. In gramm...
Portuguese Word Order: SVO Basics
Overview Effective communication in Portuguese, as in any language, hinges on a clear understanding of **word order**. T...
The Impersonal Se (Formal Usage)
Overview The impersonal `se` stands as a cornerstone of advanced Portuguese grammar, crucial for expressing actions or s...
Passive vs. Impersonal 'se' (Partícula Apassivadora e Impessoal)
Overview At the B2 level, your journey into Portuguese grammar moves from simple statements to sophisticated structures...
