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A2 verb 8 min read

vacinar-se

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips vacinar-se in 30 Seconds

Explanation vacinar-se in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'vacinar-se' means 'to get a vaccine'. You will mostly see it in simple commands or declarations. You should learn the phrase 'Eu preciso me vacinar' (I need to get vaccinated) and understand that the '-se' part is important even if you don't fully understand reflexive verbs yet. Think of it as a single block of meaning. You might see this word on signs at a pharmacy or a doctor's office. It is helpful to associate it with the English word 'vaccine' because they look very similar. At this stage, focus on the present tense: 'Eu me vacino' and 'Você se vacina'. Don't worry too much about complex grammar rules; just focus on the basic idea of going to the doctor for a shot. You might also learn the word 'vacina' (noun) alongside this verb.

At the A2 level, you should start to understand why the verb is reflexive. You are the one receiving the action. You should be able to use 'vacinar-se' in the past tense to tell someone you already got your shot: 'Eu me vacinei'. You should also be comfortable using it with common modal verbs like 'precisar' (to need), 'querer' (to want), and 'poder' (to be able to). For example, 'Eu quero me vacinar contra a gripe'. You will also learn the preposition 'contra' (against) which always follows the verb when mentioning a specific disease. This level is about practical communication, so knowing how to ask 'Onde posso me vacinar?' (Where can I get vaccinated?) is a key skill. You should also recognize the imperative 'Vacine-se!' as an invitation or health advice.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'vacinar-se' in more complex sentence structures, including the future tense and the conditional. You should understand the difference between 'vacinar' (to vaccinate someone) and 'vacinar-se' (to get vaccinated). For example, 'A enfermeira vacinou a criança' vs. 'A criança se vacinou'. You can discuss the importance of vaccination for travel or school. You should also be aware of the placement of the reflexive pronoun in different contexts, such as after 'não' (Eu não me vacinei). You can start using the word in discussions about health and society, expressing opinions like 'Eu acho que todos deveriam se vacinar'. Your vocabulary should expand to include related terms like 'efeitos colaterais' (side effects) and 'posto de saúde' (health center).

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of pronoun placement (ênclise, próclise, and mesóclise) as it applies to 'vacinar-se'. You should be able to use the verb in the subjunctive mood to express doubts, wishes, or requirements: 'É fundamental que a população se vacine'. You can follow news reports about vaccination campaigns and understand nuances in tone. You should be able to argue for or against vaccination policies using this verb and its derivatives. You will also encounter the verb in more formal contexts, such as legal or medical documents. You should be comfortable using 'vacinar-se' in the passive voice ('ser vacinado') and understand when one is preferred over the other. Your ability to use the verb in the 'pretérito mais-que-perfeito' or other compound tenses should be developing.

At the C1 level, you use 'vacinar-se' with the precision of a native speaker. You understand the stylistic choices between using the reflexive form and the passive voice to shift focus in a sentence. You can use the verb metaphorically to describe social or psychological immunity. You are capable of reading complex medical journals or public health legislation in Portuguese that uses 'vacinar-se' and its related terminology. You can distinguish between regional variations in pronoun placement (Brazilian vs. European Portuguese) and adjust your speech accordingly. You can discuss the history of vaccination and the ethics of mandatory vaccination policies with sophisticated vocabulary and correct grammatical structures. You should also be familiar with academic synonyms like 'inocular-se' and when they are appropriate.

At the C2 level, 'vacinar-se' is a tool for nuanced expression. You can use it in literary contexts, irony, or highly technical discourse without hesitation. You have a deep understanding of the etymological roots and the evolution of the word within the Portuguese language. You can interpret subtle differences in meaning when the reflexive pronoun is omitted or moved for poetic effect. You are able to lead debates on global health, discussing international vaccination protocols and the socio-economic impacts of immunization programs. You can write professional-grade articles or reports that utilize 'vacinar-se' within complex rhetorical frameworks. Your command of the verb is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, including the use of rare or archaic forms if the context demands.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

vacinar-se in 30 Seconds

Reflexive verb meaning 'to get vaccinated'.
Requires reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, vos, se).
Commonly used with the preposition 'contra' (against).
Essential for health, travel, and public safety contexts.

The Portuguese verb vacinar-se is a pronominal (reflexive) verb that translates directly to 'to get vaccinated' or 'to vaccinate oneself' in English. In Portuguese, many actions involving medical care or personal hygiene are expressed reflexively to indicate that the subject is the recipient of the action. While in English we often use the passive construction 'to get' followed by a past participle, Portuguese speakers use the reflexive pronoun to show the subject's involvement in the process of immunization. This word is fundamental in any discussion regarding public health, travel requirements, or seasonal medical check-ups.

Reflexive Nature: The '-se' at the end of the infinitive indicates that the action reflects back onto the subject. When conjugated, this pronoun changes to match the person: 'eu me vacino', 'tu te vacinas', 'ele se vacina'.

É essencial vacinar-se contra a gripe todos os anos para proteger os idosos.

You will hear this word most frequently in clinical settings, such as hospitals (hospitais) and health centers (centros de saúde). In Brazil, the term is synonymous with civic duty and public safety, largely due to the success of the National Immunization Program. When a person says 'Eu vou me vacinar' (I am going to get vaccinated), they are describing the act of visiting a clinic to receive an injection.

As crianças precisam vacinar-se antes de começar o ano letivo.

Contextual Usage: It is used not only for physical health but can be used metaphorically in literature or high-level journalism to mean 'to protect oneself' or 'to become immune' to a certain social influence or ideology.

Muitas pessoas decidiram vacinar-se no posto de saúde local.

Você já conseguiu vacinar-se contra a febre amarela?

Grammar Hint: When using the auxiliary verb 'precisar' (to need), you can say 'preciso me vacinar' or 'preciso vacinar-me'. Both are correct, though the former is more common in Brazil.

O governo incentiva a população a vacinar-se em massa.

Using vacinar-se correctly requires an understanding of reflexive pronouns and their placement. In Portuguese, the pronoun must agree with the subject. For instance, if you are talking about yourself, you use 'me'. If you are talking about a group including yourself, you use 'nos'. Let's explore the different tenses. In the present tense: 'Eu me vacino' (I get vaccinated). In the past tense (pretérito perfeito): 'Eu me vacinei' (I got vaccinated). In the future: 'Eu vou me vacinar' or 'Eu me vacinarei'.

First Person Singular: Eu me vacino todos os anos contra a gripe. (I get vaccinated every year against the flu.)

Ontem, eu finalmente consegui vacinar-se (vacinar-me) no posto.

In negative sentences, the pronoun typically moves before the verb in both Brazilian and European Portuguese: 'Eu não me vacinei'. This is a rule of 'próclise' triggered by negative words like 'não', 'nunca', or 'jamais'.

Third Person Plural: Eles se vacinaram na semana passada. (They got vaccinated last week.)

É importante que todos se vacinem para atingir a imunidade de rebanho.

In the subjunctive mood, which is used for desires or requirements: 'O médico quer que você se vacine' (The doctor wants you to get vaccinated). This shows the flexibility of the verb across different grammatical moods.

Se eu tivesse tempo, eu iria vacinar-se (me vacinar) hoje mesmo.

Imperative (Commands): Vacine-se! (Get vaccinated!) This is a common slogan seen on government posters and health campaigns.

Não deixe de vacinar-se antes da sua viagem para a África.

In Lusophone countries, particularly Brazil, vacinar-se is a word embedded in the cultural fabric of public health. Brazil has one of the most comprehensive free vaccination systems in the world, the SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde). Consequently, conversations about getting vaccinated are very common among parents, travelers, and the elderly. You will hear it in the news (noticiários) during the 'Campanha de Vacinação' (Vaccination Campaign), where the famous mascot 'Zé Gotinha' encourages everyone to 'vacinar-se'.

Public Health Campaigns: The phrase 'Vacinar-se é um ato de amor' (Getting vaccinated is an act of love) is a common emotional appeal used in health advertisements.

O rádio anunciou que amanhã é o dia D para a população vacinar-se.

In a pharmacy (farmácia) or clinic (clínica), a nurse might ask: 'Você veio se vacinar?' (Did you come to get vaccinated?). It is also a frequent topic in workplace safety briefings, especially during flu season. Travelers often discuss this word when preparing for trips to the Amazon or other tropical regions where yellow fever (febre amarela) vaccines are required.

Para entrar em certos países, é obrigatório vacinar-se contra doenças tropicais.

Family Conversations: Parents often discuss their children's 'caderneta de vacinação' (vaccination booklet) and when they need to take the kids to 'vacinar-se'.

Meu filho precisa vacinar-se contra a poliomielite este mês.

Muitos jovens estão indo vacinar-se no drive-thru da prefeitura.

Legal and Work Requirements: Certain professions, like healthcare workers or teachers, may have institutional mandates to 'vacinar-se' to maintain a safe environment.

Os profissionais de saúde foram os primeiros a vacinar-se.

The most frequent error English speakers make with vacinar-se is forgetting the reflexive pronoun entirely. In English, we say 'I vaccinated' (active) or 'I got vaccinated' (passive). In Portuguese, if you say 'Eu vacinei', it sounds like you were the doctor who administered the vaccine to someone else, but forgot to say whom. To say you were the recipient, you MUST include the pronoun: 'Eu me vacinei'.

The Missing Pronoun: Incorrect: 'Eu vacinei ontem.' (I vaccinated [someone] yesterday.) Correct: 'Eu me vacinei ontem.' (I got vaccinated yesterday.)

Não diga apenas 'eu vacinei', diga eu me vacinei para ser claro.

Another common mistake is pronoun placement. While Brazilian Portuguese is very flexible, placing 'me' at the very beginning of a sentence ('Me vacinei') is common in speech but considered incorrect in formal written Portuguese. In formal writing, it should be 'Vacinei-me'.

Confusing 'Vacinar' with 'Vacinar-se': Vacinar: To give a vaccine. Vacinar-se: To receive a vaccine. Mixing these up can lead to confusing medical conversations.

A enfermeira vai vacinar você, mas você vai vacinar-se.

Preposition errors are also frequent. Some learners try to use 'com' (with) instead of 'contra' (against). In Portuguese, you get vaccinated 'against' a disease: 'vacinar-se contra a Covid-19', not 'com a Covid-19'.

Ele esqueceu de vacinar-se contra a gripe este ano.

Spelling Errors: Learners sometimes spell it 'vassinar' because of the soft 'c' sound. Always remember it is 'vacina' with a 'c', just like 'vaccine'.

É errado escrever 'vassinar'; a forma correta é vacinar-se.

While vacinar-se is the most precise term, there are several other ways to express the idea of getting vaccinated in Portuguese, ranging from informal to highly technical. The most common informal alternative is 'tomar a vacina' (to take the vaccine). This is used in daily conversation much like we say 'take a pill' or 'take medicine'.

Vacinar-se vs. Tomar a vacina: Vacinar-se is more formal and grammatically precise. Tomar a vacina is the standard way people talk in the street. 'Eu tomei a vacina ontem' is very natural.

Você já foi tomar a vacina no posto de saúde?

Another alternative is 'imunizar-se' (to immunize oneself). This is more formal and often used in scientific or journalistic contexts to emphasize the result of the vaccination (immunity) rather than the act of injection itself.

A campanha visa imunizar-se (imunizar) toda a população urbana.

Comparison Table: - Vacinar-se: Standard/Formal
- Tomar a vacina: Informal/Common
- Imunizar-se: Technical/Result-oriented
- Ser vacinado: Passive voice (to be vaccinated)

Muitos preferem dizer 'vou tomar a picada' (take the sting) de forma brincalhona.

In some regions, you might hear 'prevenir-se' (to prevent oneself), though this is broader and could include washing hands or wearing masks.

É melhor prevenir-se do que remediar, por isso vacine-se.

Regionalisms: In rural areas, some might say 'dar a vacina' (to give the vaccine), even if they are the ones receiving it, but this is grammatically non-standard.

O objetivo final é estar protegido contra as doenças.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The term was coined by Edward Jenner in 1796. Before that, the process was called 'variolation'. Brazil's famous 'Revolta da Vacina' in 1904 happened because people didn't understand why they were being forced to 'vacinar-se'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /vɐ.si.ˈnaɾ.sɨ/

US /va.si.ˈnaɾ.si/

The primary stress is on the syllable 'NAR'.

Rhymes With

ensinar-se vagar-se amar-se olhar-se sentar-se lavar-se lembrar-se deitar-se

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'c' as a 'k' (it should be 's').
Stress on the first syllable.
Forgetting to pronounce the 'r' in 'nar'.
In Brazil, making the final 'e' too long like 'say'.
In Portugal, omitting the 'i' sound in 'ci'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'vaccine'.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct placement of reflexive pronouns.

Speaking 3/5

Stress on the 'NAR' syllable is important for clarity.

Listening 2/5

Very distinct sound, usually easy to pick out in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Vacina Médico Contra Saúde Eu/Você

Learn Next

Imunizar Injeção Doença Sintoma Remédio

Advanced

Epidemiologia Profilaxia Inoculação Anticorpos Patógeno

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Pronoun Agreement

Eu ME vacino, Nós NOS vacinamos.

Próclise with Negatives

Eu NÃO ME vacinei (not: Eu não vacinei-me).

Infinitive with Pronoun

Vou me vacinar OR Vacinar-me.

Subjunctive for Desires

Espero que você se vacine.

Preposition 'Contra'

Vacinar-se contra a rubéola.

Examples by Level

Eu preciso me vacinar.

I need to get vaccinated.

Uses 'me' for the first person singular reflexive.

Você vai se vacinar hoje?

Are you going to get vaccinated today?

Question structure with 'vai' + reflexive infinitive.

O bebê precisa se vacinar.

The baby needs to get vaccinated.

Third person reflexive 'se'.

Onde eu me vacino?

Where do I get vaccinated?

Present tense reflexive 'me vacino'.

Eu me vacino contra a gripe.

I get vaccinated against the flu.

Use of 'contra' for the disease.

Ela se vacina no posto.

She gets vaccinated at the health center.

Location indicated by 'no posto'.

Nós nos vacinamos agora.

We are getting vaccinated now.

First person plural 'nos nos'.

Vacine-se agora!

Get vaccinated now!

Imperative form.

Eu já me vacinei contra o sarampo.

I already got vaccinated against measles.

Pretérito perfeito (past tense).

Eles decidiram se vacinar juntos.

They decided to get vaccinated together.

Infinitive after 'decidiram'.

Você não se vacinou no ano passado?

Didn't you get vaccinated last year?

Negative question with pronoun before verb.

É importante se vacinar antes da viagem.

It is important to get vaccinated before the trip.

Impersonal 'é importante' + infinitive.

O médico disse para eu me vacinar.

The doctor told me to get vaccinated.

Indirect command.

Meus pais se vacinaram ontem.

My parents got vaccinated yesterday.

Third person plural past tense.

Eu quero me vacinar contra a febre amarela.

I want to get vaccinated against yellow fever.

Verb 'querer' + reflexive.

Amanhã nós vamos nos vacinar.

Tomorrow we are going to get vaccinated.

Future with 'ir' + reflexive.

Se todos se vacinarem, a doença vai sumir.

If everyone gets vaccinated, the disease will disappear.

Future subjunctive 'se vacinarem'.

Eu me vacinaria se tivesse tempo hoje.

I would get vaccinated if I had time today.

Conditional 'vacinaria'.

Muitas pessoas ainda não conseguiram se vacinar.

Many people still haven't managed to get vaccinated.

Negative with 'ainda não'.

O governo quer que todos se vacinem logo.

The government wants everyone to get vaccinated soon.

Present subjunctive 'se vacinem'.

Depois de se vacinar, ela se sentiu mais segura.

After getting vaccinated, she felt safer.

Preposition 'depois de' + infinitive.

Não é obrigatório se vacinar, mas é recomendado.

It's not mandatory to get vaccinated, but it's recommended.

Contrast using 'mas'.

Eles se vacinaram para poder frequentar a escola.

They got vaccinated to be able to attend school.

Purpose clause with 'para'.

Eu me vacinei sem sentir nenhuma dor.

I got vaccinated without feeling any pain.

Use of 'sem' + infinitive.

Caso você se vacine, traga o comprovante.

In case you get vaccinated, bring the proof.

Subjunctive after 'caso'.

Embora tenha medo de agulhas, ele foi se vacinar.

Although he is afraid of needles, he went to get vaccinated.

Concessive clause with 'embora'.

Duvido que eles se vacinem antes do inverno.

I doubt they will get vaccinated before winter.

Subjunctive after 'duvido que'.

Ao se vacinar, você protege a sua comunidade.

By getting vaccinated, you protect your community.

Gerundial sense with 'Ao' + infinitive.

Seria ideal que as crianças se vacinassem na escola.

It would be ideal if the children got vaccinated at school.

Imperfect subjunctive.

Ninguém se vacinou sem antes consultar o médico.

No one got vaccinated without first consulting the doctor.

Negative subject 'ninguém'.

Vacinando-se, você evita complicações graves.

By getting vaccinated, you avoid serious complications.

Gerund with reflexive pronoun.

Ele se vacinou, apesar de todas as dúvidas que tinha.

He got vaccinated, despite all the doubts he had.

Contrast with 'apesar de'.

Instruíram-no a vacinar-se o quanto antes.

They instructed him to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Formal European Portuguese placement.

É imperativo que a população se vacine em massa.

It is imperative that the population gets vaccinated en masse.

Formal vocabulary 'imperativo'.

Vacinar-se tornou-se um debate político acalorado.

Getting vaccinated has become a heated political debate.

Infinitive as subject.

Dever-se-ia vacinar-se contra o preconceito também.

One should also vaccinate oneself against prejudice.

Metaphorical use and mesóclise.

Quem se vacinar terá prioridade no atendimento.

Whoever gets vaccinated will have priority in service.

Relative clause with future subjunctive.

Raramente se vê alguém recusar-se a vacinar-se aqui.

One rarely sees someone refuse to get vaccinated here.

Double reflexive construction.

O direito de vacinar-se deve ser garantido a todos.

The right to get vaccinated must be guaranteed to everyone.

Noun phrase 'o direito de'.

Mesmo que eu me vacine, continuarei usando máscara.

Even if I get vaccinated, I will continue wearing a mask.

Concessive subjunctive.

A recusa em vacinar-se denota uma falha na educação.

The refusal to get vaccinated denotes a failure in education.

Abstract noun 'recusa'.

Oxalá todos se vacinem para que a vida retorne ao normal.

Hopefully everyone gets vaccinated so life returns to normal.

Use of 'Oxalá' (Arabic origin for 'hopefully').

O ato de vacinar-se transcende a proteção individual.

The act of getting vaccinated transcends individual protection.

Philosophical subject.

Fosse ele mais prudente, ter-se-ia vacinado a tempo.

Had he been more prudent, he would have gotten vaccinated in time.

Inverted conditional with mesóclise.

Não obstante a eficácia, muitos relutam em vacinar-se.

Notwithstanding the efficacy, many are reluctant to get vaccinated.

Formal connector 'Não obstante'.

O dever cívico de vacinar-se é pilar da saúde pública.

The civic duty of getting vaccinated is a pillar of public health.

Complex noun phrase.

A imunidade advinda do vacinar-se é duradoura.

The immunity arising from getting vaccinated is long-lasting.

Substantive use of infinitive.

Instaurou-se o pânico ante a impossibilidade de vacinar-se.

Panic ensued in the face of the impossibility of getting vaccinated.

Passive reflexive 'instaurou-se'.

Common Collocations

vacinar-se contra

precisar vacinar-se

ir vacinar-se

campanha para vacinar-se

dever vacinar-se

onde vacinar-se

decidir vacinar-se

medo de vacinar-se

obrigação de vacinar-se

incentivo a vacinar-se

Common Phrases

Vacine-se!

— A direct command used in health slogans to encourage people to get their shots.

Vacine-se e proteja sua família!

Dia de vacinar-se

— Refers to a specific scheduled day for a community vaccination drive.

Sábado será o dia de vacinar-se contra a pólio.

Não esqueça de se vacinar

— A friendly reminder given by family members or doctors.

Filho, não esqueça de se vacinar na escola.

Já se vacinou?

— A common question asked during flu season or pandemics.

Oi Maria, tudo bem? Já se vacinou?

Preciso me vacinar para viajar

— A statement about meeting international health requirements.

Vou para a Tailândia, então preciso me vacinar.

Vacinar-se é um direito

— A statement emphasizing that health care is a human right.

Em nosso país, vacinar-se é um direito de todos.

Posto para vacinar-se

— The physical location where one goes to get the vaccine.

Qual é o posto para vacinar-se mais próximo?

Vacinar-se por precaução

— Getting a vaccine even if the risk seems low, just to be safe.

Eu vou me vacinar por precaução antes do inverno.

Recusar-se a vacinar-se

— The act of choosing not to receive a vaccine.

Algumas pessoas se recusam a vacinar-se por motivos religiosos.

Conseguiu se vacinar?

— Asking if someone was successful in obtaining the vaccine.

A fila estava grande, mas você conseguiu se vacinar?

Often Confused With

vacinar-se vs vacinar

Vacinar is to give the shot to someone else. Vacinar-se is to receive it yourself.

vacinar-se vs vassinar

A common misspelling. It's always with a 'c'.

vacinar-se vs vacina

Vacina is the noun (the liquid/shot), while vacinar-se is the action.

Idioms & Expressions

"Vacinar-se contra o mal"

— To prepare oneself mentally or spiritually against bad influences.

Ela se vacinou contra as fofocas do escritório.

Metaphorical

"Estar vacinado"

— To be experienced or 'wise to' something, so you can't be easily fooled.

Não me enganas, eu já estou vacinado contra esse tipo de truque.

Informal

"Vacina de sapo"

— A traditional indigenous ritual in the Amazon (Kambo) involving frog secretion, sometimes called a 'vaccine'.

Ele foi para o Acre tomar a vacina de sapo.

Cultural

"Dar uma vacinada"

— A very informal way to say one got a quick shot or update.

Vou ali no posto dar uma vacinada rápida.

Slang

"Vacinar a alma"

— To do something that brings peace or moral strength.

Viajar é como vacinar a alma contra a tristeza.

Poetic

"Vacina contra a burrice"

— A humorous and sarcastic way to suggest someone needs to learn or use common sense.

Infelizmente não existe vacina contra a burrice.

Informal/Sarcastic

"Tomar a picadinha"

— A child-friendly way to refer to getting vaccinated.

O herói vai tomar a picadinha para ficar forte.

Child-friendly

"Cair na vacina"

— To finally give in and get vaccinated after being hesitant.

Depois de muita conversa, ele caiu na vacina.

Informal

"Vacina de reforço"

— A booster shot, but can also mean a 'reminder' or 'extra help' in other contexts.

Preciso de uma vacina de reforço no meu curso de inglês.

Metaphorical

"Blindado pela vacina"

— Feeling completely safe and invincible after vaccination.

Agora que me vacinei, me sinto blindado.

Informal

Easily Confused

vacinar-se vs Inoculação

Sounds technical.

Inoculação is the scientific process; vacinar-se is the general act of getting the shot.

A inoculação foi rápida.

vacinar-se vs Injeção

Both involve needles.

Injeção is any shot (antibiotics, vitamins); vacinar-se is specifically for vaccines.

Tomei uma injeção de Benzetacil.

vacinar-se vs Imunização

Same goal.

Imunização is the biological state of being immune; vacinar-se is the method to get there.

A imunização demora duas semanas.

vacinar-se vs Prevenção

Related concept.

Prevenção is the broad concept of avoiding illness; vacinar-se is one specific tool of prevention.

A prevenção é o melhor remédio.

vacinar-se vs Remédio

Both are medicine.

Remédio treats a sickness you already have; vacinar-se prevents you from getting it.

Tomei o remédio para a dor.

Sentence Patterns

Eu preciso me vacinar.

Eu preciso me vacinar hoje.

Eu me vacinei contra [doença].

Eu me vacinei contra a gripe.

Se eu puder, vou me vacinar.

Se eu puder, vou me vacinar amanhã.

É necessário que todos se vacinem.

É necessário que todos se vacinem para acabar com a pandemia.

O ato de vacinar-se é fundamental.

O ato de vacinar-se é fundamental para a saúde pública.

Não obstante o medo, vacinou-se.

Não obstante o medo, vacinou-se prontamente.

Você já se vacinou?

Você já se vacinou contra o Covid?

Eles foram se vacinar no posto.

Eles foram se vacinar no posto de saúde central.

Word Family

Nouns

vacina (vaccine)

vacinação (vaccination)

vacinador (vaccinator)

vacinado (vaccinated person)

Verbs

vacinar (to vaccinate someone else)

Adjectives

vacinável (vaccinable)

vacinado (vaccinated)

antivacina (anti-vaccine)

imunidade

anticorpo

injeção

seringa

posto de saúde

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high during winter months or health crises.

Common Mistakes

Eu vacinei ontem. → Eu me vacinei ontem.
Without 'me', it sounds like you were the one giving the vaccine to someone else.
Eu me vacinei com a gripe. → Eu me vacinei contra a gripe.
You get vaccinated 'against' (contra) a disease, not 'with' (com) it.
Me vacinei hoje. → Vacinei-me hoje. (Formal)
Starting a sentence with a reflexive pronoun is common in speech but avoided in formal writing.
Eu vou me vacina. → Eu vou me vacinar.
The infinitive must end in 'r' when following an auxiliary verb like 'vou'.
Eles se vacinou. → Eles se vacinaram.
The verb must agree with the plural subject 'eles'.

Tips

Pronoun Placement

In negative sentences, the pronoun always moves before the verb: 'Não me vacinei'.

SUS in Brazil

In Brazil, you don't go to a private doctor to vacinar-se; you usually go to a public 'Posto de Saúde'.

Noun vs Verb

Remember: 'Vacina' is the thing, 'Vacinar-se' is the action.

The 'R' sound

Make sure to tap the 'r' in 'vacinar' with your tongue against the roof of your mouth.

Spelling

It's 'vacinar' with one 'c', unlike the English 'vaccinate' which has two.

Health Centers

When looking for a place to vacinar-se, look for signs saying 'Posto de Saúde' or 'UBS'.

Yellow Fever

If traveling to Brazil, you might need to vacinar-se against 'Febre Amarela'.

Polite Inquiry

Asking 'Você já se vacinou?' is a polite way to show concern for someone's health.

The '-se' self

Always think '-se' equals 'self' to remember it's reflexive.

Subjunctive use

Use the subjunctive when recommending it: 'Sugiro que você se vacine'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'VACCINE' for 'YOURSELF' (-SE). Vacina + Se = Vacinar-se. It sounds almost exactly like its English counterpart.

Visual Association

Imagine a person looking in a mirror while holding a syringe to their own arm. The mirror represents the reflexive '-se'.

Word Web

Saúde Médico Injeção Imunidade Vírus Hospital Prevenção Braço

Challenge

Try to conjugate 'vacinar-se' in the past, present, and future for all six pronouns (Eu, Tu, Ele, Nós, Vós, Eles) without looking at a chart.

Word Origin

Derived from the Portuguese noun 'vacina', which comes from the Latin 'vaccinus', meaning 'from a cow'. This is because the first smallpox vaccines were derived from cowpox.

Original meaning: To inoculate with cowpox to prevent smallpox.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be aware that vaccination can be a sensitive political topic for some, though in Portuguese-speaking countries, public support is historically very high.

In the US/UK, vaccination is often handled by private pharmacies or GPs. In Brazil, it is largely a centralized government event at 'Postos de Saúde'.

Zé Gotinha (Mascot) Revolta da Vacina (Historical Event) Oswaldo Cruz (Famous Brazilian Physician)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Doctor

Quero me vacinar.
Dói para se vacinar?
Onde posso me vacinar?
Preciso me vacinar?

Travel Planning

Devo me vacinar para ir ao Brasil?
Quais vacinas tomar?
Onde tem vacina de febre amarela?
Preciso do certificado.

Conversing with Friends

Você já se vacinou?
Vou me vacinar amanhã.
A fila para se vacinar está grande.
Não esquece de se vacinar!

News/Media

Campanha de vacinação.
População deve se vacinar.
Postos abertos para vacinar-se.
Calendário de vacinas.

School/Work

É preciso se vacinar para trabalhar?
A escola exige vacina.
Vou sair cedo para me vacinar.
Comprovante de vacinação.

Conversation Starters

"Você já conseguiu se vacinar contra a gripe este ano?"

"Onde é o posto de saúde mais próximo para a gente se vacinar?"

"Você acha que as crianças devem se vacinar na escola?"

"Qual foi a última vez que você precisou se vacinar para viajar?"

"Você tem medo de agulha quando vai se vacinar?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva como foi a sua experiência na última vez que você foi se vacinar.

Por que você acha que é importante para uma comunidade se vacinar em massa?

Se você pudesse criar uma campanha para incentivar as pessoas a se vacinarem, como ela seria?

Escreva sobre a importância do Zé Gotinha na cultura brasileira de vacinar-se.

Como você se sente após se vacinar? Mais seguro ou preocupado com efeitos colaterais?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In Brazil, 'me vacinar' is much more common in speech. In Portugal and in formal writing, 'vacinar-se' or 'vacinar-me' is the standard. Both are grammatically understood.

You always use 'contra' (against). For example: 'Eu me vacinei contra a febre amarela'.

The most natural way is 'Eu me vacinei' (Brazilian) or 'Vacinei-me' (European).

Only if you were the nurse giving the vaccine. If you received the vaccine, you must say 'Eu me vacinei'.

Usually, for pets, we use the active voice: 'Eu vacinei meu cachorro'. But you could say 'O cachorro foi vacinado'.

He is the Brazilian mascot for vaccination campaigns, representing a drop of the polio vaccine. He encourages kids to vacinar-se.

Yes. Eu me vacino, Tu te vacinas, Ele se vacina, Nós nos vacinamos, Eles se vacinam.

You can ask: 'Onde posso me vacinar?' or 'Onde fica o posto de vacinação?'

Yes, especially during 'campanhas de vacinação' (vaccination campaigns) which happen several times a year.

'Vacinar-se' is the proper verb, while 'tomar vacina' is a more colloquial expression like 'take a pill'.