comover-se in 30 Seconds
- To be emotionally moved.
- To feel deep emotion.
- To be touched by something.
- To experience empathy or sadness.
- Verb Type
- Reflexive verb
- Core Meaning
- To be moved emotionally, to feel a strong emotion, often empathy or sadness, in response to something.
- Contexts
- This verb is used when something touches your heart or evokes a deep emotional response. It's common in situations involving stories, art, acts of kindness, or moments of shared human experience.
Watching the documentary made me comover-se.
The children's innocence always makes her comover-se.
He tried not to comover-se, but the music was too beautiful.
- Emotional Spectrum
- While often associated with sadness or empathy, 'comover-se' can also describe being moved by joy, beauty, or profound happiness. The key is the depth of the emotional response.
- Nuance
- It implies a reaction that goes beyond a superficial feeling. It's about being genuinely affected, often to the point of tears or a lump in your throat.
The story of the lost dog made the whole audience comover-se.
- Common Triggers
- News reports about suffering, touching reunions, acts of generosity, poignant music, heartfelt speeches, and moving films are all common triggers for someone to 'comover-se'.
She didn't expect to comover-se so much at her grandson's graduation.
- Basic Structure
- The verb 'comover-se' is always used reflexively. The structure is Subject + Reflexive Pronoun + Conjugated Verb 'comover-se'.
Eu me comovo com histórias tristes.
- Conjugation
- The verb 'comover' conjugates like other regular -er verbs, but remember the reflexive pronoun must agree with the subject.
Tu te comoves facilmente.
- Third Person Singular
- 'Ele/Ela/Você se comove' is very common. It describes a single person being emotionally affected.
Ele se comoveu com a gentileza do estranho.
- Third Person Plural
- 'Eles/Elas/Vocês se comovem' is used for multiple people experiencing the emotion.
As crianças se comovem com histórias de fadas.
- Using with Gerunds/Infinitives
- You can also use it with verbs in the infinitive or gerund form, often after prepositions.
É fácil para ele se comover.
Estou comovendo-me com a sua história.
- Past Tense
- The past tense (preterite) is frequently used to describe a specific instance of being moved.
O filme me comoveu profundamente.
- Future Tense
- The future tense can be used to anticipate an emotional reaction.
Acredito que isso vai nos comover.
- Everyday Conversations
- You'll hear 'comover-se' frequently in casual chats when people discuss their emotional reactions to events, movies, music, or personal stories. For example, someone might say, 'Vi um filme ontem que me fez comover-se muito.' (I saw a movie yesterday that made me really emotional.)
A notícia sobre o resgate dos animais me fez comover-se.
- Media and Entertainment
- News anchors, movie critics, and reviewers often use this verb to describe the impact of a story or performance. 'This scene is designed to comover-se the audience.' is a common sentiment expressed.
O discurso do líder comunitário conseguiu comover-se a todos.
- Literature and Poetry
- Authors use 'comover-se' to convey the emotional depth of characters or to describe the intended effect of their writing on the reader. A poem might describe a character who 'se comove com a beleza da natureza' (is moved by the beauty of nature).
- Music Reviews and Lyrics
- Song lyrics often express deep emotions, and 'comover-se' is a natural fit. Music critics might use it to describe how a particular song or album affects the listener: 'A melodia me fez comover-se instantaneamente.' (The melody moved me instantly.)
A interpretação vocal fez o público comover-se.
- Social Media
- People share their emotional responses online using this verb. A post might read: 'Acabei de ver um vídeo que me fez comover-se. Que história inspiradora!' (I just saw a video that moved me. What an inspiring story!)
A generosidade das pessoas me fez comover-se.
- Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun
- The most common mistake is omitting the reflexive pronoun ('me', 'te', 'se', 'nos', 'vos'). 'Comover' by itself means to move something else, not to be moved oneself. For example, saying 'O filme comoveu' means 'The movie moved (something/someone else)', not 'The movie moved me'. You must say 'O filme me comoveu' or 'O filme comoveu-se (if the movie itself is personified).
Incorrect: 'Eu comovo com isso.' Correct: 'Eu me comovo com isso.'
- Using the Wrong Reflexive Pronoun
- Ensure the reflexive pronoun matches the subject. 'Eu' goes with 'me', 'tu' with 'te', 'ele/ela/você' with 'se', 'nós' with 'nos', and 'eles/elas/vocês' with 'se'.
Incorrect: 'Nós te comovemos.' Correct: 'Nós nos comovemos.'
- Confusing with 'Emocionar-se'
- While similar, 'emocionar-se' is more about getting excited or agitated, often with a slightly less deep or more immediate emotional reaction. 'Comover-se' implies a more profound, heartfelt, and often empathetic emotional response. You might get 'emocionado' by a surprise party, but you 'comove-se' by a story of hardship.
Incorrect: 'Fiquei emocionado com a notícia.' (Can imply agitation or excitement) Correct: 'Fiquei comovido com a notícia.' (Implies deep emotional impact)
- Incorrect Verb Form
- Learners might use the infinitive 'comover' instead of the conjugated form, or vice-versa, or misconjugate the verb itself. Always ensure the verb ending matches the subject and tense.
Incorrect: 'Nós se comover.' Correct: 'Nós nos comovemos.'
- Emocionar-se
- Meaning: To get excited, to be moved (can be less deep than comover-se), to be emotionally affected.
- Usage: 'Emocionar-se' often implies a more general emotional reaction, which can include excitement, nervousness, or even a slight agitation. It can be used for positive or negative emotions, but 'comover-se' is usually reserved for a deeper, more poignant emotional response, often involving empathy or sadness.
- Example: 'Ele se emocionou com a surpresa.' (He got excited/moved by the surprise.) vs. 'Ele se comoveu com a história do homem necessitado.' (He was deeply moved by the story of the needy man.)
- Tocar
- Meaning: To touch (literally or figuratively), to affect someone emotionally.
- Usage: When used emotionally, 'tocar' is a more general verb meaning to affect or move someone. It doesn't necessarily imply a deep, reflexive emotional response in the same way 'comover-se' does. 'Tocar' can be used transitively (to touch someone) or intransitively (to affect).
- Example: 'A música tocou meu coração.' (The music touched my heart.) This is very close in meaning to 'A música me comoveu.' The reflexive 'comover-se' emphasizes the internal experience of being moved.
- Abalar-se
- Meaning: To be shaken, to be upset, to be disturbed.
- Usage: 'Abalar-se' implies a more negative emotional impact, often involving distress, shock, or being deeply disturbed. While 'comover-se' can be sad, 'abalar-se' suggests a more unsettling emotional upheaval.
- Example: 'Ela se abalou com as notícias ruins.' (She was shaken/upset by the bad news.) This is different from being moved by a beautiful story.
- Sentir profundamente
- Meaning: To feel deeply.
- Usage: This is a more descriptive phrase rather than a single verb. It captures the essence of 'comover-se' but is less idiomatic. It's a good way to explain what 'comover-se' means.
- Example: 'Ele sente profundamente a dor dos outros.' (He deeply feels the pain of others.) This conveys the empathetic aspect of 'comover-se'.
How Formal Is It?
"A magnitude do evento fez com que os presentes se comovessem profundamente."
"O filme me fez comover bastante."
"Nossa, me comovi total com essa história!"
"O cachorrinho foi para casa e o menino se comoveu de alegria!"
Fun Fact
The root 'movere' (to move) is also the origin of many English words like 'move', 'motion', 'momentum', and 'emotion'. So, when you 'comover-se', you are literally 'moving greatly' within yourself.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'o' as in 'hot'.
- Not stressing the correct syllable.
- Pronouncing the final 'e' in 'se' too strongly.
- Omitting the reflexive sound 's'.
Difficulty Rating
Understanding 'comover-se' in reading requires grasping the nuance of emotional depth and recognizing its reflexive nature. Sentences can become complex with subordinate clauses or participial phrases.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Reflexive Verbs
The verb 'comover-se' is reflexive. This means the subject performs the action on itself. For example, 'Eu me comovo' means 'I move myself (emotionally)'.
Pronoun Placement
Reflexive pronouns usually precede the conjugated verb (e.g., 'Eu me comovo'), but can follow and attach with a hyphen in certain structures (e.g., 'comover-me').
Verb Conjugation (-er verbs)
'Comover' is an -er verb. Its conjugations follow regular patterns, but the reflexive pronoun must always be included and agree with the subject.
Preterite vs. Imperfect Tense
Use the preterite ('comoveu-se') for a completed emotional reaction in the past, and the imperfect ('comovia-se') for ongoing or habitual emotional states in the past.
Causative Structures with 'Fazer'
To say something *made* you 'comover-se', use 'fazer': 'O filme me fez comover.'
Examples by Level
O filme é bonito.
The movie is beautiful.
Eu gosto de histórias.
I like stories.
A música é triste.
The music is sad.
Ele viu um cachorro.
He saw a dog.
Ela chorou um pouco.
She cried a little.
Isso me faz sentir.
This makes me feel.
Uma boa ação.
A good deed.
É bonito ver.
It's nice to see.
O vídeo me fez comover-se.
The video made me feel emotional.
The reflexive pronoun 'me' is used with the first person singular subject 'Eu' (implied).
Ela se comoveu com a história.
She was moved by the story.
The reflexive pronoun 'se' is used with the third person singular subject 'Ela'.
A música me comoveu.
The music moved me.
Past tense of 'comover-se'.
O gesto dele me comoveu.
His gesture moved me.
'Comoveu' is the preterite tense, indicating a completed action in the past.
Nós nos comovemos com a bondade.
We were moved by the kindness.
The reflexive pronoun 'nos' is used with the first person plural subject 'Nós'.
Ele se comove fácil.
He gets emotional easily.
Present tense conjugation.
A cena do filme me comoveu.
The movie scene moved me.
'Comoveu' is the past tense, suitable for describing reactions to past events.
Eles se comovem com a natureza.
They are moved by nature.
Present tense, plural subject.
Ao assistir ao documentário, ela não conseguiu evitar se comover-se.
While watching the documentary, she couldn't help but be moved.
Use of the infinitive 'comover-se' after 'evitar'.
A história de superação dele me fez comover-se profundamente.
His story of overcoming challenges made me feel deeply emotional.
Adverb 'profundamente' intensifies the emotional impact.
O orador conseguiu comover-se a plateia com suas palavras sinceras.
The speaker managed to move the audience with his sincere words.
'Comover' here is used transitively (to move the audience), but the prompt asks for the reflexive verb. A more accurate reflexive example would be: 'A plateia se comoveu com as palavras sinceras do orador.'
É difícil para ele não se comover com a alegria das crianças.
It's difficult for him not to be moved by the children's joy.
Use of 'não se comover' to express the inability to remain unmoved.
Nós nos comovemos com cada pequeno gesto de bondade que presenciamos.
We are moved by every small gesture of kindness we witness.
Present tense, emphasizing ongoing reactions to kindness.
Aquele final de filme sempre me faz comover-se.
That movie ending always makes me emotional.
Use of 'sempre' (always) with the present tense.
Ela se comoveu ao reencontrar velhos amigos.
She was moved upon reuniting with old friends.
Past tense, indicating the reaction to a specific event.
Os pais se comovem ao verem seus filhos crescerem.
Parents are moved to see their children grow up.
Present tense, describing a common parental feeling.
A performance do artista foi tão expressiva que o público inteiro se comoveu.
The artist's performance was so expressive that the entire audience was moved.
Use of 'tão... que' structure to link cause and effect.
É impossível não se comover com a resiliência humana diante da adversidade.
It's impossible not to be moved by human resilience in the face of adversity.
Use of the infinitive 'comover' after 'não'.
O voluntário se comoveu ao testemunhar a gratidão das pessoas que ajudou.
The volunteer was moved upon witnessing the gratitude of the people he helped.
Past tense, emphasizing the emotional impact of witnessing gratitude.
A beleza serena da paisagem fez com que ele se comovesse.
The serene beauty of the landscape caused him to be moved.
Use of 'fez com que' to introduce the clause where the reflexive verb is used.
As crianças se comovem facilmente com histórias de aventura e fantasia.
Children are easily moved by stories of adventure and fantasy.
Adverb 'facilmente' modifies the verb.
Mesmo os mais céticos se comoveram com a história de sacrifício.
Even the most skeptical were moved by the story of sacrifice.
Use of 'mesmo' (even) to emphasize the broad impact.
A sua capacidade de se comover com as pequenas coisas é admirável.
Your ability to be moved by the small things is admirable.
Use of 'capacidade de' followed by the infinitive 'se comover'.
Ele se comoveu ao lembrar-se dos tempos de infância.
He was moved upon remembering his childhood days.
Past tense, with 'ao lembrar-se' indicating the trigger for the emotion.
A maneira como ele descreveu a perda foi tão pungente que todos na sala se comoveram.
The way he described the loss was so poignant that everyone in the room was moved.
Complex sentence structure with a subordinate clause introduced by 'como'.
É um testemunho da força do espírito humano o quão facilmente as pessoas se comovem com atos de bondade altruísta.
It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit how easily people are moved by acts of selfless kindness.
Use of 'o quão' (how much/greatly) and a more abstract subject.
A obra de arte, com sua melancolia subjacente, conseguiu comover-se até os espectadores mais indiferentes.
The artwork, with its underlying melancholy, managed to move even the most indifferent viewers.
Use of 'conseguiu comover-se' (managed to move oneself) with an implied subject (the artwork causing the movement).
Ele se comoveu ao reencontrar a cidade onde passou a infância, revivendo memórias há muito esquecidas.
He was moved upon revisiting the city where he spent his childhood, reliving long-forgotten memories.
Past tense with a participial phrase 'revivendo memórias'.
A empatia demonstrada pela comunidade em tempos difíceis fez com que muitos se comovessem.
The empathy shown by the community in difficult times caused many to be moved.
Use of 'fez com que' to link the cause (empathy) and the effect (people being moved).
A sutileza com que a tragédia foi retratada permitiu que o público se comovesse sem se sentir sobrecarregado.
The subtlety with which the tragedy was portrayed allowed the audience to be moved without feeling overwhelmed.
Use of 'permitiu que' followed by the subjunctive mood for the reflexive verb.
A canção, com sua melodia nostálgica e letra introspectiva, tem o poder de se comover profundamente.
The song, with its nostalgic melody and introspective lyrics, has the power to deeply move.
Describing the inherent power of the song to evoke emotion.
Observando a dedicação dos pais, o professor se comoveu com o exemplo que eles davam.
Observing the parents' dedication, the teacher was moved by the example they set.
Participial phrase 'Observando a dedicação...' sets the context for the emotional reaction.
A narrativa magistral do autor evoca uma profunda ressonância emocional, fazendo com que o leitor se comova em múltiplos níveis.
The author's masterful narrative evokes a deep emotional resonance, causing the reader to be moved on multiple levels.
Sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structure.
Diante da magnitude da tragédia, a compaixão que irrompeu na sociedade fez com que até os mais insensíveis se comovessem.
Faced with the magnitude of the tragedy, the compassion that erupted in society caused even the most insensitive to be moved.
Use of abstract nouns and a more formal register.
A forma como a peça teatral retratou a condição humana, com suas fragilidades e grandezas, foi de tal modo comovente que o público se viu compelido a se comover.
The way the play portrayed the human condition, with its fragilities and grandeurs, was so moving that the audience found themselves compelled to be moved.
Complex sentence with 'de tal modo comovente que' and 'se viu compelido a'.
A resiliência demonstrada pelos sobreviventes, apesar das perdas incalculáveis, inspirou uma onda de solidariedade que fez multidões se comoverem.
The resilience shown by the survivors, despite incalculable losses, inspired a wave of solidarity that moved crowds.
Sophisticated vocabulary and emphasis on the ripple effect of emotion.
O eco das canções de protesto, imbuídas de dor e esperança, ressoou de tal forma que as gerações mais novas se comoveram com a luta por justiça.
The echo of the protest songs, imbued with pain and hope, resonated in such a way that younger generations were moved by the fight for justice.
Figurative language ('eco', 'imbuídas') and temporal scope.
A delicadeza com que o artista capturou a efemeridade da vida permitiu que o espectador se comovesse diante da beleza transitória.
The delicacy with which the artist captured the ephemerality of life allowed the viewer to be moved by transient beauty.
Use of abstract concepts like 'efemeridade' and 'beleza transitória'.
Ao contemplar a vastidão do universo, o astrônomo se comoveu com a insignificância e a maravilha da existência humana.
Contemplating the vastness of the universe, the astronomer was moved by the insignificance and wonder of human existence.
Philosophical contemplation leading to an emotional response.
A profundidade da conexão entre os personagens, expressa de forma tão genuína, fez com que o público se comovesse e se identificasse com suas jornadas.
The depth of the connection between the characters, expressed so genuinely, caused the audience to be moved and identify with their journeys.
Emphasis on 'genuína' expression and audience identification.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— I was moved. This is a simple and direct way to express that you experienced an emotional reaction.
Ao ouvir a história, eu disse: 'Me comovi.'
— He was moved. Used to describe a male subject's emotional reaction.
Quando viu o presente, ele se comoveu.
— She was moved. Used to describe a female subject's emotional reaction.
Ao ler a carta, ela se comoveu.
— We were moved. Used when a group of people (including the speaker) experienced an emotional reaction.
Ao ver a cena, todos nós nos comovemos.
— To be moved by the story. A very common construction to express the cause of the emotion.
É fácil se comover com essa história.
— I was moved. A common alternative using the adjective form derived from the verb.
Recebi sua mensagem e fiquei comovido.
— This moves me. Expressing a current or general emotional reaction.
A bondade das pessoas me comove.
— He gets emotional easily. Describes someone who is sensitive and reacts emotionally often.
Não se surpreenda, ele se comove com facilidade.
— The movie made me emotional. Using 'fazer' to indicate causation.
O final do filme me fez comover muito.
— I couldn't hold back, I was moved. Expressing an uncontrollable emotional response.
A cena era tão triste que não consegui me conter, me comovi.
Often Confused With
While similar, 'emocionar-se' is broader and can include excitement or agitation, whereas 'comover-se' implies a deeper, more heartfelt emotional response, often involving empathy or sadness.
'Tocar' (to touch) can be used figuratively to mean affect emotionally, but 'comover-se' specifically denotes being deeply moved internally.
'Abalar-se' means to be shaken or upset, implying a more negative and disturbing emotional impact, unlike the often poignant or sympathetic emotion of 'comover-se'.
Idioms & Expressions
— To be moved to tears; to be so emotionally affected that one cries.
A história do reencontro familiar a fez comover-se até as lágrimas.
Neutral— To touch someone's heart; to deeply move someone emotionally.
A dedicação dele tocou o meu coração e me fez comover.
Neutral— To have a soft heart; to be easily moved to pity or sympathy.
Ela tem o coração mole e se comove com qualquer pedido de ajuda.
Informal— To feel a lump in one's throat; often a physical manifestation of being deeply moved or suppressing strong emotion.
Ao ouvir as palavras de despedida, senti um nó na garganta e me comovi.
Neutral— To make someone cry with emotion; to be so moving that it causes tears.
Aquele discurso foi tão inspirador que fez muita gente chorar de emoção e se comover.
Neutral— To have a heavy heart; to feel a tightness in the chest due to sadness or strong emotion.
A notícia da tragédia me deixou com o peito apertado e me fez comover.
Neutral— To be touched by grace; often used in a religious context, but can also mean to be deeply moved by something profoundly good or beautiful.
Ele se comoveu com a bondade inesperada, como se tivesse sido tocado pela graça.
Formal/Literary— To have a broken heart; to be deeply saddened or distressed. While 'comover-se' can involve sadness, 'coração partido' implies a more severe emotional wound.
A perda do ente querido fez seu coração partido se comover.
Neutral— To feel a pang in one's heart; a sudden feeling of sadness, worry, or sympathy.
Ao ver a criança sozinha, senti um aperto no coração e me comovi.
Neutral— A soul cleansed; a feeling of profound peace and relief after experiencing something deeply moving or cathartic.
Após ouvir a confissão, senti minha alma lavada e me comovi com a redenção.
LiteraryEasily Confused
Both verbs describe being emotionally affected.
'Comover-se' implies a deeper, often sympathetic or poignant emotional response, frequently leading to tears or a strong sense of empathy. 'Emocionar-se' is broader; it can mean to get excited, agitated, or generally feel strong emotions, not necessarily deep ones. For example, you might 'emocionar-se' with joy at a surprise party, but you would 'comover-se' with sadness at a tragic story.
Ela se emocionou com a surpresa (ficou feliz e animada). / Ela se comoveu com a história da menina (ficou triste e empática).
Both can describe an emotional impact.
'Tocar' (when used figuratively) means to affect someone emotionally, often in a less profound way than 'comover-se'. 'Comover-se' emphasizes the internal, reflexive experience of being deeply moved, often to tears or a significant emotional shift. 'Tocar' can be more about a general impression or feeling. For instance, a sad song might 'tocar' you, but a story of extreme hardship might make you 'comover-se'.
Aquele filme me tocou (me fez pensar/sentir algo). / Aquele filme me comoveu (me fez chorar/sentir muita empatia).
Both involve being emotionally affected.
'Abalar-se' signifies being shaken, disturbed, or deeply upset, often by negative events. It implies a more unsettling or distressing emotional upheaval. 'Comover-se', while it can involve sadness, is more about being touched, moved by empathy, or experiencing a profound, often poignant, emotional resonance. It doesn't necessarily carry the negative connotation of being disturbed.
Ele se abalou com a perda do emprego (ficou muito chateado e perturbado). / Ele se comoveu com a história do amigo (sentiu empatia e tristeza).
Both relate to experiencing feelings.
'Sentir' is a very general verb meaning 'to feel'. You can 'sentir' joy, sadness, cold, hunger, etc. 'Comover-se' is a specific type of feeling – a deep emotional reaction often involving empathy or pathos. You 'sentir' an emotion, but you 'comover-se' *because* of an external stimulus that evokes that deep emotion.
Eu sinto tristeza. (general feeling) / Eu me comovo com notícias tristes. (specific reaction to stimuli causing deep emotion).
Both describe a softening of emotions.
'Enternecer-se' means to become tender, soft-hearted, or touched, often by something sweet, innocent, or pitiable. It's very close to 'comover-se' and can often be used interchangeably, especially when pity or tenderness is involved. However, 'comover-se' can encompass a broader range of deep emotions, including profound sadness or awe, not just tenderness.
O gesto do voluntário a enterneceu (sentiu ternura e compaixão). / O gesto do voluntário a comoveu (sentiu uma emoção profunda, talvez ternura e compaixão).
Sentence Patterns
Subject + me/te/se/nos/vos + comove(s)/comove/comovemos/comoveis/comovem.
Eu me comovo com histórias tristes.
Subject + se + comoveu (preterite).
Ela se comoveu com o presente.
Subject + se + comover (infinitive after verb of motion/desire).
É difícil não se comover.
O/A/Os/As + Noun + me/te/se/nos/vos + fez comover.
A música me fez comover.
Ao + Infinitive + Subject + se + comove(u).
Ao ouvir a notícia, ela se comoveu.
Subject + se + comove(u) + com + Noun.
Eles se comovem com a beleza da paisagem.
A maneira como + Subject + se + comove(u)...
A maneira como ele reagiu fez com que todos se comovessem.
Subject + se + comove(u) + até as lágrimas.
A cena final me fez comover até as lágrimas.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High
-
Forgetting the reflexive pronoun.
→
Eu me comovo.
The verb 'comover-se' is reflexive. The pronoun must agree with the subject. Saying 'Eu comovo' means 'I move something else', not 'I am moved'.
-
Using 'comover' instead of 'comover-se'.
→
O filme me comoveu.
'Comover' (transitive) means to move something else. 'Comover-se' (reflexive) means to be moved oneself. The sentence 'O filme comoveu' implies the movie moved something/someone other than itself.
-
Incorrect pronoun agreement.
→
Nós nos comovemos.
The reflexive pronoun must match the subject. 'Nós' requires 'nos', not 'se' or 'me'.
-
Confusing with 'emocionar-se'.
→
A história triste me comoveu.
'Comover-se' implies a deep, often empathetic, emotional response. 'Emocionar-se' can be broader, including excitement. For a sad story, 'comover-se' is more precise.
-
Using 'comover' as an adjective without 'ficar' or 'ser'.
→
Eu fiquei comovido.
While 'comovido' is the past participle and can function as an adjective, the verb 'comover-se' is used to describe the action of becoming moved. Saying 'Eu comovi' is incorrect; you need 'Eu me comovi' or 'Eu fiquei comovido'.
Tips
Focus on the Stress
The stress in 'comover-se' falls on the second-to-last syllable: co-MO-ver-se. Practicing this rhythm will make your pronunciation sound more natural to native speakers.
Master Reflexive Pronouns
The reflexive pronoun ('me', 'te', 'se', 'nos', 'vos', 'se') is essential. Always ensure it matches the subject of the sentence. Forgetting it changes the meaning entirely.
Listen and Repeat
Listen to native speakers using 'comover-se' in movies, songs, or podcasts. Try to repeat the sentences, paying attention to the intonation and the flow of the reflexive pronoun with the verb.
Combine with Triggers
Practice using 'comover-se' with common triggers like 'com a história' (with the story), 'com a música' (with the music), 'com a bondade' (with the kindness), or 'com a beleza' (with the beauty).
Create Associations
Link 'comover-se' to strong emotional images or personal experiences. Think of a time you were deeply moved and associate that feeling with the sound and spelling of the word.
Distinguish from Similar Verbs
Make a conscious effort to differentiate 'comover-se' from 'emocionar-se' and 'tocar'. Understanding the nuances will help you choose the most precise word for your intended meaning.
Journaling Practice
Write journal entries describing your emotional reactions to daily events, using 'comover-se' whenever you feel a deep emotional connection or response.
Role-Playing
Imagine scenarios where someone might 'comover-se' (e.g., watching a sad movie, hearing good news) and practice describing the reaction aloud.
Annotate Examples
When reading Portuguese texts, highlight instances of 'comover-se' and note down the context. This builds your understanding of its usage in authentic material.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'CO'mpany that makes 'MO'ving pictures. When you watch their films, you 'VER'y often 'SE'riously get emotional. So, 'CO-MO-VER-SE' is about getting emotional from moving pictures.
Visual Association
Picture a heart that is visibly 'moving' or vibrating with emotion, perhaps with gentle waves emanating from it. Associate this visual with the sound of 'comover-se'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe a time you felt 'comovido' without using the word itself. Then, explain how you would use 'comover-se' in that context. For example, instead of 'I was sad', say 'The story made me feel a deep sadness, I comovi.' This helps solidify the nuance of the verb.
Word Origin
The verb 'comover-se' comes from the Latin verb 'comovere', meaning 'to move greatly' or 'to agitate'. It is formed by the prefix 'con-' (meaning 'with' or 'together') and 'movere' (meaning 'to move').
Original meaning: To move greatly, to agitate, to disturb.
Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > PortugueseCultural Context
This verb describes a genuine and often profound emotional reaction. It's not typically used for superficial feelings or mild annoyance. It implies a level of depth and sincerity in the emotional response.
In English, we might say 'to be moved', 'to be touched', 'to feel emotional', or 'to be deeply affected'. The reflexive nature of 'comover-se' emphasizes the internal experience.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Reacting to movies, books, or music
- O filme me comoveu.
- A música me fez comover.
- Não consegui evitar me comover.
Witnessing acts of kindness or hardship
- Me comovi com a ajuda que ele deu.
- Ela se comoveu ao ver a situação.
- A bondade dele me comoveu.
Recounting personal experiences
- Quando lembrei disso, me comovi.
- Ele se comoveu com a notícia.
- Foi um momento que me fez comover.
Describing emotional sensitivity
- Ele se comove com facilidade.
- Não se comove com qualquer coisa.
- É fácil me comover.
Expressing empathy
- Me comovi com a sua dor.
- Ela se comoveu com o sofrimento dele.
- Sentimos nos comover com a situação.
Conversation Starters
"What kind of stories or movies tend to make you 'comover-se'?"
"Can you recall a time when a piece of music made you 'comover-se'?"
"How do you feel when you witness an act of great kindness? Do you 'comover-se'?"
"Is there a particular book that made you 'comover-se' deeply?"
"What does it mean to you to 'comover-se' with someone else's situation?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a moment when you felt deeply 'comovido' and try to capture the specific emotions you felt.
Write about something you saw or heard recently that made you 'comover-se' and why.
Reflect on your ability to 'comover-se'. Is it a strength or a weakness? Explain.
Imagine a character from a story who 'se comove' easily. What kind of situations would affect them most?
Write a short story where the main character undergoes a significant emotional journey, leading them to 'comover-se'.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 'comover-se' is not always negative. While it often describes being moved by sadness or empathy, it can also be used for positive emotions like being deeply touched by joy, beauty, or a heartwarming reunion. The key is the depth of the emotional response, not necessarily its valence (positive or negative).
'Comover' is a transitive verb that means to move or affect something or someone else emotionally. For example, 'O filme comoveu o público' (The movie moved the audience). 'Comover-se' is a reflexive verb, meaning the subject is moved internally. 'O público comoveu-se com o filme' (The audience was moved by the movie).
Generally, no. 'Comover-se' implies a significant emotional impact. For milder feelings, you might use verbs like 'sentir' (to feel), 'gostar' (to like), or 'achar' (to find). 'Comover-se' suggests a deeper, more profound reaction.
The reflexive pronoun must always agree with the subject of the sentence. For 'eu' (I), use 'me'. For 'tu' (you, informal singular), use 'te'. For 'ele/ela/você' (he/she/you, formal singular), use 'se'. For 'nós' (we), use 'nos'. For 'vós' (you, informal plural - rarely used in Brazil), use 'vos'. For 'eles/elas/vocês' (they/you, plural), use 'se'.
Yes, absolutely. The past tense (preterite) is very common, describing a specific instance of being moved. For example, 'Ontem, o concerto me comoveu' (Yesterday, the concert moved me).
Yes, 'Eu me comovi' is a very common and direct way to say 'I was moved' or 'I felt emotional'. It's used frequently in everyday conversation.
They are very similar and often interchangeable. 'Ficar comovido' uses the verb 'ficar' (to become/to be) followed by the adjective 'comovido' (moved). It describes the state of being moved. 'Comover-se' is the verb itself, describing the action of becoming moved. For practical purposes, they convey the same core meaning.
Yes, definitely. If the beauty of a landscape evokes a deep emotional response in you, you can say 'Eu me comovi com a beleza da paisagem.' It expresses a profound appreciation.
Common triggers include sad stories, acts of kindness, reunions, poignant music, inspiring speeches, and moving artistic performances. Anything that touches your heart deeply can be a trigger.
'Comover-se' is generally considered neutral in register. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, from casual conversations to more literary or serious discussions about art and human experience.
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Summary
Comover-se means to be deeply emotionally affected by something, often evoking empathy, sadness, or a profound sense of connection. It's a reflexive verb, meaning the subject experiences the emotion internally.
- To be emotionally moved.
- To feel deep emotion.
- To be touched by something.
- To experience empathy or sadness.
Focus on the Stress
The stress in 'comover-se' falls on the second-to-last syllable: co-MO-ver-se. Practicing this rhythm will make your pronunciation sound more natural to native speakers.
Master Reflexive Pronouns
The reflexive pronoun ('me', 'te', 'se', 'nos', 'vos', 'se') is essential. Always ensure it matches the subject of the sentence. Forgetting it changes the meaning entirely.
Context is Key
Understand that 'comover-se' implies a *deep* emotional reaction. It's not for mild feelings. Think of it as being profoundly touched, often with empathy or sadness.
Listen and Repeat
Listen to native speakers using 'comover-se' in movies, songs, or podcasts. Try to repeat the sentences, paying attention to the intonation and the flow of the reflexive pronoun with the verb.
Example
Ela comoveu-se ao ouvir a triste canção.
Related Content
More emotions words
a sério?
A2seriously?, an expression of surprise, disbelief, or to check earnestness
abalado
A2Emotionally disturbed or upset; shaken.
abalar
A2To shake or disturb (emotionally); to affect deeply.
abalo
A2Shock, emotional disturbance; a sudden, disturbing, or upsetting emotional experience.
abandonado
B1Left by the owner or inhabitants; deserted.
abatidamente
B1In a dejected or disheartened manner; dejectedly.
abatido
A2Dejected; sad and depressed; dispirited.
abatimento
A2Dejection; a sad and depressed state; low spirits.
abertamente
A2openly, frankly; without concealment; publicly.
abismado
B1Filled with astonishment or wonder.
