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A2 verb Neutral 2 min read

apresentar-se

/ɐ.pɾe.zẽˈtaɾ.sɨ/
Practice it

Overview

The Portuguese verb 'apresentar-se' is a reflexive verb that translates to 'to introduce oneself.' The '-se' ending signifies the reflexive pronoun, indicating that the action of the verb is performed by the subject upon themselves. This is a common construction in Portuguese and many other Romance languages.

When conjugating 'apresentar-se,' the reflexive pronoun changes according to the subject. Here's a breakdown of its conjugation in the present tense, which is frequently used for self-introductions:

  • Eu me apresento: I introduce myself.
  • Tu te apresentas: You (informal singular) introduce yourself.
  • Você se apresenta: You (formal singular) introduce yourself.
  • Ele/Ela se apresenta: He/She introduces himself/herself.
  • Nós nos apresentamos: We introduce ourselves.
  • Vocês se apresentam: You (plural) introduce yourselves.
  • Eles/Elas se apresentam: They introduce themselves.

Notice how the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos) comes before the conjugated verb in most cases. However, in certain grammatical structures, such as with infinitives or gerunds, the pronoun can be attached to the end of the verb, forming a single word (e.g., 'para apresentar-se,' 'apresentando-se').

Beyond simple introductions, 'apresentar-se' can also be used in broader contexts to mean 'to show up,' 'to appear,' or 'to present oneself' in a more formal sense, like presenting oneself for a job interview or a military review. For example, 'Ele se apresentou para o serviço militar' means 'He presented himself for military service.'

It's crucial to understand the nuance of the reflexive pronoun. Without it, 'apresentar' simply means 'to present' or 'to introduce (someone else).' For instance, 'Eu apresento meu amigo' means 'I introduce my friend.' The presence of '-se' specifically directs the action back to the subject, making 'apresentar-se' the correct choice when discussing self-introduction.

Examples

1

Para apresentar-me melhor, gostaria de dizer que sou de São Paulo.

Introducing oneself in a formal or semi-formal setting.

To introduce myself better, I'd like to say that I'm from São Paulo.

2

Ele foi convidado a apresentar-se perante a comissão.

Referring to someone needing to appear before a group or authority.

He was invited to present himself before the committee.

3

É importante apresentar-se de forma clara e concisa no seu currículo.

Advice on how to create a good resume.

It's important to present yourself clearly and concisely in your resume.

4

Os novos funcionários irão apresentar-se amanhã.

Referring to new employees being introduced to a team or company.

The new employees will introduce themselves tomorrow.

5

Eu gostaria de me apresentar, meu nome é Ana.

A simple and direct way to introduce oneself.

I would like to introduce myself, my name is Ana.

Common Collocations

apresentar-se a alguém
apresentar-se formalmente
apresentar-se para um cargo
apresentar-se em público

Often Confused With

apresentar-se vs apresentar
Refers to introducing someone else or presenting something, not oneself.
apresentar-se vs introduzir-se
Less common for self-introduction in Portuguese, 'apresentar-se' is more natural.

Grammar Patterns

apresentar-se a (alguém) apresentar-se como (profissão/papel) apresentar-se para (finalidade)

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The verb 'apresentar-se' is a reflexive verb, meaning it requires the reflexive pronoun 'se' (or 'me,' 'te,' 'nos,' 'vos' depending on the subject) and conjugates like a regular '-ar' verb. For example, 'Eu me apresento' (I introduce myself), 'Você se apresenta' (You introduce yourself), 'Nós nos apresentamos' (We introduce ourselves). It is commonly used in contexts where one is meeting new people, giving a presentation, or generally making their presence known. When introducing someone else, the non-reflexive verb 'apresentar' is used (e.g., 'Eu apresento a Maria a você' - I introduce Maria to you). Pay attention to the correct placement of the reflexive pronoun, which typically comes before the verb in affirmative sentences and after the verb with an infinitive or gerund. The context often dictates the level of formality and the appropriate accompanying phrases, such as 'Prazer' (Pleasure to meet you) or 'Muito prazer' (Very nice to meet you).

Common Mistakes

1. Using 'introduzir' instead of 'apresentar-se' when referring to introducing oneself. 'Introduzir' is typically used for introducing an object or a concept, not a person in this context. 2. Forgetting the reflexive pronoun '-se'. 'Apresentar' alone means 'to present' (an idea, a show), while 'apresentar-se' means 'to introduce oneself'. 3. Incorrect conjugation of the verb 'apresentar' or the reflexive pronoun 'se'. For example, saying 'Eu me apresentar' instead of 'Eu me apresento' (I introduce myself) or 'Ele apresentar-se' instead of 'Ele se apresenta' (He introduces himself). The reflexive pronoun changes based on the subject. 4. Confusing the formal and informal ways of addressing someone when introducing oneself. For example, using 'você' in a formal setting where 'o senhor/a senhora' would be more appropriate, or vice-versa. 5. Misplacing the reflexive pronoun in more complex sentence structures. For instance, in negative sentences, the pronoun often precedes the verb: 'Eu não me apresentei' (I did not introduce myself).

Tips

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Formal vs. Informal

In Portuguese, just like in many other languages, there are formal and informal ways to introduce oneself. 'Apresentar-se' generally refers to the act of introducing oneself in a more formal or general context. When speaking informally with friends or family, you might simply say your name directly, e.g., 'Eu sou [seu nome]' (I am [your name]). However, 'apresentar-se' covers the broader concept, which can then be adapted to formality levels through verb conjugations and accompanying phrases.
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Reflexive Pronoun 'se'

The 'se' in 'apresentar-se' is a reflexive pronoun, meaning the action of the verb (to introduce) is performed by the subject upon itself. So, 'apresentar-se' literally means 'to introduce oneself.' It's crucial not to forget this 'se' when you want to express self-introduction. If you just say 'apresentar,' it would mean 'to introduce someone or something else,' as in 'apresentar um amigo' (to introduce a friend).
💡

Common Usages

'Apresentar-se' can be used in various scenarios. For example, in a professional setting, you might say, 'Permita-me apresentar-me' (Allow me to introduce myself). When meeting new people, you could say, 'Olá, eu sou [seu nome], prazer em apresentar-me' (Hello, I am [your name], pleased to introduce myself). It can also be used in a broader sense, like 'Ele apresentou-se para o cargo' (He presented himself for the position), meaning he put himself forward as a candidate.

Word Origin

The Portuguese verb 'apresentar-se' is a reflexive verb formed from 'apresentar' and the reflexive pronoun 'se'. 'Apresentar' itself comes from the Latin 'appraesentāre', which means 'to present, to show, to offer'. This Latin verb is a compound of 'ad-' (meaning 'to' or 'toward') and 'praesentāre' (meaning 'to present, to show'). 'Praesentāre' in turn derives from 'praesens' (genitive 'praesentis'), meaning 'present, at hand, in sight'. The root 'prae-' means 'before' or 'in front of', and 'esse' means 'to be'. So, etymologically, 'praesens' signifies 'being before' or 'being in front'. Over time, as Latin evolved into the various Romance languages, 'appraesentāre' transformed. In Old Portuguese, it appeared as 'apresentar'. The core meaning of bringing something or someone forward for others to see or acknowledge remained consistent. The addition of the reflexive pronoun 'se' (from the Latin 'sibi' or 'se') transforms the verb from a transitive action (to present something or someone else) into a reflexive one (to present oneself). This grammatical construction indicates that the subject of the verb is also the object of the action. Therefore, 'apresentar-se' literally means 'to present oneself'. This reflects the act of making oneself known, showing one's identity, or formally introducing oneself to others. The evolution of the word highlights a continuous semantic thread from the classical Latin concept of 'being in front' and 'showing' to the modern Portuguese idea of self-introduction.

Cultural Context

In Portuguese-speaking cultures, particularly in Brazil and Portugal, the act of 'apresentar-se' (to introduce oneself) is often accompanied by specific social gestures. When meeting someone for the first time, a handshake is common for both men and women, though women may also offer a kiss on each cheek (starting with the right cheek) in more informal settings, especially in Brazil. In formal situations, maintaining eye contact is a sign of respect. It's also typical to state your full name. The level of formality can vary significantly between regions and social circles, with larger cities often having slightly more reserved initial interactions compared to smaller towns. Politeness and deference to elders or those in positions of authority are highly valued, and this is reflected in the way introductions are made.

Memory Tip

Visualize someone presenting themselves at a formal event, using a projector (apresentar) to show slides about 'self' (-se).

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions
'Apresentar-se' in Portuguese means 'to introduce oneself'. It's a reflexive verb, indicated by the '-se' at the end, meaning the action reflects back on the subject. So, if you say 'Eu me apresento', it translates to 'I introduce myself'. This verb is fundamental for initial interactions and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the conjugation and accompanying phrases. It's a common phrase used when meeting new people, starting a presentation, or even when being called upon to speak about oneself.
Conjugating 'apresentar-se' in the present tense involves combining the conjugated form of 'apresentar' with the correct reflexive pronoun. Here's how it breaks down: * **Eu me apresento** (I introduce myself) * **Tu te apresentas** (You [informal] introduce yourself) * **Ele/Ela/Você se apresenta** (He/She/You [formal] introduce yourself) * **Nós nos apresentamos** (We introduce ourselves) * **Vós vos apresentais** (You all [informal, plural, rare in Brazil] introduce yourselves) * **Eles/Elas/Vocês se apresentam** (They/You all [formal, plural] introduce yourselves) Understanding these conjugations is crucial for using the verb correctly in different social situations.
Certainly! Here's a common example: 'Olá a todos, eu gostaria de me apresentar. Meu nome é Ana e sou nova aqui.' This translates to: 'Hello everyone, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Ana and I'm new here.' This sentence demonstrates how 'apresentar-se' is used in a self-introduction. The reflexive pronoun 'me' precedes the infinitive 'apresentar' when used with a modal verb like 'gostaria de' (would like to).
The main difference lies in whether the action is directed at someone else or at oneself. 'Apresentar' (without the '-se') means 'to present' or 'to introduce someone/something else'. For example, 'Eu apresento meu amigo' means 'I introduce my friend'. In this case, the action of introducing is directed towards 'my friend'. On the other hand, 'apresentar-se' means 'to introduce oneself'. The '-se' indicates that the subject of the verb is also the object of the action. So, 'Eu me apresento' means 'I introduce myself'. This distinction is very important in Portuguese to convey the correct meaning in conversations.

Test Yourself

fill blank

Eu gostaria de me ____ (to introduce oneself).

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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Ele sempre se ____ formalmente em reuniões. (introduces oneself)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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É importante que você se ____ bem. (introduce oneself)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Score: /3

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