portarse bien
/poɾtaɾse bjen/from spelling rules
The English phrase "act right" is translated into Spanish as portarse bien.
Portarse bien is used to describe behaving in a good or appropriate manner. If you wish to express the opposite, such as "to behave badly" or "to act out", you can replace bien with mal to say portarse mal.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb portarse is the reflexive form of portar (to carry or bear), and in this context, it means "to behave oneself".
Which one should you use?
While portarse bien is the standard way to express this, comportarse correctamente is a more formal way to say it. In Mexico, actuar correctamente is also used for formal situations.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the phrase actuar correctamente is used for formal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
Depending on who you are talking to, the imperative (command) form changes: use pórtate bien for an informal command to one person, pórtese bien for a formal command to one person and pórtense bien when addressing a group of people.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American dialects, using the formal pórtese bien with a peer can actually sound sarcastic or condescending rather than polite.
- If a child is not 'acting right', a parent might say estás haciendo un berrinche, which refers specifically to a temper tantrum rather than just general bad behavior.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, telling someone to portarse bien is often a playful or cheeky way of telling them to 'stay out of trouble' in a social setting.
Examples in context
- Por favor, compórtate correctamente durante la reunión.Please, act right during the meeting.
- Es importante comportarse correctamente en una entrevista de trabajo.It is important to act right during a job interview.
- Ayer en la fiesta, nadie se portaba bien.Yesterday at the party, no one was acting right.
- Es hora de que actúen correctamente en este asunto.It's time for you to act right in this matter.
- Recuerda comportarte bien en casa de tu abuela.Remember to act right at your grandma's house.
- ¡Pórtate bien en la escuela!Behave yourself at school!
- Es importante portarse bien con los invitados.It is important to behave well with the guests.
- Dile a tu hermano que debe portarse bien.Tell your brother that he must behave well.
Example conversation
Elena is talking to Mateo before they enter a party.
- ElenaMateo, por favor, intenta portarse bien hoy.Mateo, please try to act right today.
- MateoNo te preocupes, yo siempre me porto bien.Don't worry, I always act right.
- ElenaEso dijiste la última vez que fuimos.That's what you said the last time we went.
- MateoPrometo que esta vez será diferente.I promise that this time it will be different.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
