What is the Passive Voice in Portuguese?
The passive voice, known as “voz passiva” in Portuguese, is used when the focus is on the recipient of an action rather than the doer. In English, a passive sentence would be “The book was read by Maria,” where the emphasis is on the book, not Maria. Portuguese uses similar constructions, but with unique grammatical rules that learners should be aware of.
Types of Passive Voice in Portuguese
Analytic Passive (Voz Passiva Analítica)
This is the most direct equivalent to the English passive voice. It is formed using the verb “ser” (to be) plus the past participle of the main verb, followed by the preposition “por” or “de” to introduce the agent (the doer of the action), if mentioned.
Structure: Subject + ser (conjugated) + past participle + (por/de + agent)
Example: O livro foi lido por Maria. (The book was read by Maria.)
Pronominal Passive (Voz Passiva Pronominal)
Portuguese also uses a pronominal or reflexive construction for passive sentences. This structure uses the pronoun “se” with a verb in the third person. It often translates to English as an impersonal or general passive construction.
Structure: Se + verb (third person) + subject
Example: Vendem-se casas. (Houses are sold.)
Notice that in this construction, the verb must agree in number with the subject that follows.
Impersonal Passive (Voz Passiva Impessoal)
While not strictly a passive voice, Portuguese often expresses passive meaning using impersonal constructions, especially with the pronoun “se.” These are used when the agent is unknown or irrelevant.
Example: Fala-se português no Brasil. (Portuguese is spoken in Brazil.)
How to Form the Passive Voice in Portuguese
Let’s break down the steps to form the analytic passive, which is the most similar to the English passive.
- Identify the object: Start with the direct object of the active sentence. Example: Maria leu o livro. (Maria read the book.)
- Conjugate “ser”: Use the correct tense of the verb “ser” to match the tense of the main verb. Example: “leu” (read, past) becomes “foi” (was).
- Use the past participle: Add the past participle of the main verb. Example: “lido” (read).
- Introduce the agent (optional): Use “por” or “de” to add who performed the action. Example: por Maria (by Maria).
Full passive sentence: O livro foi lido por Maria.
Key Points to Remember
- The verb “ser” must agree in number and gender with the subject.
- The past participle also agrees in number and gender with the subject.
- The agent (the doer of the action) can be omitted if it is unknown or irrelevant.
Example: As cartas foram escritas. (The letters were written.)
Common Mistakes When Using the Passive Voice in Portuguese
- Forgetting to make the verb and past participle agree with the subject in gender and number.
- Overusing the analytic passive in informal contexts where pronominal or impersonal constructions are more natural.
- Using “ser” in the wrong tense, which can change the meaning of the sentence.
Tips for Mastering the Passive Voice
- Practice by transforming active sentences into passive ones.
- Read Portuguese texts and identify passive constructions to see how they are used in context.
- Use language learning tools like Talkpal to get instant feedback and practice with native speakers or AI-powered conversations.
- Listen to Portuguese podcasts or news reports, as the passive voice appears frequently in formal speech.
Conclusion
Mastering the passive voice in Portuguese will greatly improve your ability to express yourself clearly and understand a wide range of texts and conversations. Whether you are preparing for an exam, working towards professional fluency, or simply want to sound more natural, understanding these constructions is essential. With practice and the right resources, such as those offered by Talkpal, you can confidently use the passive voice and take your Portuguese skills to the next level.
