sé fuerte
/se fweɾte/from spelling rules
The phrase "be strong" in Spanish is translated as sé fuerte.
This is an encouraging phrase used to tell someone to remain brave or resilient during a difficult time. While sé fuerte focuses on the state of being strong, you may also encounter mantente fuerte, which means "stay strong" and focuses on maintaining that state.
What does it mean word for word?
Sé is the imperative (command) form of the verb ser (to be), and fuerte means "strong".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you might hear sé valiente to express the sentiment of being strong or brave.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes depending on who you are addressing. If you are speaking to someone using the formal usted instead of the informal tú, you should use sea fuerte instead of sé fuerte. When addressing a group of people informally using the vosotros form used in Spain, the phrase becomes sed fuertes. When addressing a group of people formally using the ustedes form used in Latin America and formal Spain, the phrase becomes sean fuertes.
How do you pronounce it?
/se fweɾte/
Did you know?
- Spanish has the word fortaleza to describe the quality of being fuerte, which refers to both mental fortitude and a physical fortress.
- While sé fuerte is encouraging, using the word fuerte to describe someone's personality can sometimes imply they are stubborn or rigid.
- While 'be strong' is a command, in some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is more common to offer a warm hug or a phrase like ánimo to provide the same emotional support.
Examples in context
- Sé fuerte.Be strong.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase sé fuerte.Tatoeba #5707804 by arh, translation #7932588 by CK
- ¡Sé fuerte!Be strong!Tatoeba #1822141 by Shishir, translation #7925264 by MarijnKp
- Sé fuerte en estos momentos difíciles.Be strong in these difficult moments.
Example conversation
Lucía is feeling sad about a recent loss and Javier is comforting her.
- JavierLo siento mucho, Lucía.I am so sorry, Lucía.
- LucíaGracias, Javier, es un tiempo muy duro.Thank you, Javier, it is a very hard time.
- JavierPor favor, sé fuerte, estoy contigo.Please, be strong, I am with you.
- LucíaTrataré de hacerlo, gracias por el apoyo.I will try to do so, thanks for the support.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
