Ir embora vs. ir-se
In Portuguese, both ir-se and ir embora translate to to leave or to go away. However, they are not always interchangeable, as they differ in frequency, formality, and nuance. Ir embora is the standard, everyday choice, while ir-se is less common and often carries a more specific, weighted meaning.
Ir embora
A1This is the most common, neutral, and versatile way to say to leave in Portuguese. It is used in virtually all everyday contexts, from leaving a party to finishing work for the day. It simply describes the action of departing from a place and is the go-to expression in both spoken and written Portuguese.
A festa acabou, vamos embora.
(The party is over, let's go.)
Eu preciso ir embora do trabalho mais cedo hoje.
(I need to leave work early today.)
Se você não parar, eu vou embora.
(If you don't stop, I'm going to leave.)
Eles foram embora da cidade no ano passado.
(They went away from the city last year.)
Vá embora e me deixe em paz!
(Go away and leave me alone!)
Ir-se
B2This is a reflexive form of the verb ir (to go). It also means to leave, but its use is more nuanced and less frequent in daily conversation. It can sound more formal, literary, or dramatic. It often implies a more definitive, final, or abrupt departure and can also be used as a euphemism for dying or to express that something has disappeared or vanished.
Chegou a minha hora, tenho de me ir.
(My time has come, I have to go.)
O último navio foi-se ao amanhecer.
(The last ship left at dawn.)
Com o vento, foram-se todas as folhas.
(With the wind, all the leaves were gone.)
O nosso querido cão foi-se na semana passada.
(Our dear dog passed away last week.)
Vou-me daqui para não mais voltar!
(I'm leaving this place, never to return!)
Summary
In essence, the main difference lies in usage and connotation. Use ir embora for almost any situation where you want to say to leave or to go away; it is the standard and most natural-sounding choice. Use ir-se when you want to convey a greater sense of finality, formality, or drama. While ir-se is grammatically correct, ir embora is far more common in modern, everyday Portuguese.