Passive Voice with Ser and Se in Brazilian Portuguese
Portuguese can foreground what happened rather than who did it. Learn two passive patterns and a common everyday alternative.
Real Life Portuguese · 6 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
A direct passive uses ser plus a past participle. The participle agrees in gender and number with the subject: O relatório foi enviado (The report was sent); As mensagens foram enviadas (The messages were sent).
Form a direct passive with ser and a past participle
Use this pattern when you want to emphasize the person or thing receiving the action. You can name the agent with por, but it is optional when the agent is unknown or unimportant.
O convite foi enviado ontem.
The invitation was sent yesterday.
As portas foram fechadas às seis.
The doors were closed at six.
A música foi composta por uma brasileira.
The music was composed by a Brazilian woman.
Recognize se when the agent is not the focus
A se construction can present an action without naming who performs it. You may encounter it on signs and in written notices: Vende-se apartamento (Apartment for sale) or Alugam-se quartos (Rooms for rent). In standard agreement, the verb may match the noun; informal usage can vary, so learners may hear a singular verb with a plural noun as well.
Vendem-se ingressos na entrada.
Tickets are sold at the entrance.
Alugam-se quartos mobiliados.
Furnished rooms are available for rent.
Precisa-se de voluntários.
Volunteers are needed.
Choose the clearest focus for your sentence
A passive sentence can sound formal when the speaker does not need that emphasis. Brazilian Portuguese often uses an active sentence with an unspecified subject instead: Alguém fechou a porta (Someone closed the door) or Fecharam a porta (They closed the door). These are not identical grammatically, but they can communicate a similar idea.
- Receiver matters: O pacote foi entregue.
- A notice describes availability: Vendem-se livros usados.
- Everyday report: Fecharam a rua. (They closed the street.)
Put it into practice
Rewrite one sentence with ser + participle, with se where it fits, and as an active sentence. Notice which version sounds clearest in context.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Tickets are sold at the entrance”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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