Portuguese · Chapter 7 · Lesson 14 · Grammar primer
Reflexive verbs: levantar-se
The -se ending does the quiet job of the hidden pronoun in the English get oneself up.
The short version
In Brazil the pronoun goes before the verb
The dictionary writes levantar-se with a hyphen, and Portugal says levanto-me. Brazilians put the pronoun in front instead: eu me levanto, ele se chama. The hyphenated order is the written register, and in conversation it sounds like reading out a contract. Speak the Brazilian way and keep the hyphen for formal writing.
Eu me levanto cedo.
Sinto muito is sorry; me sinto bem is fine
The reflexive pronoun can change what a verb means. Sinto muito, with no pronoun, is the standard way to say I am sorry. Me sinto bem is about how you feel. Mudar is to change and mudar-se is to move house; perder is to lose and perder-se is to get lost. Learn these verbs with the se attached.
Eu me sinto bem hoje.
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