seja forte
The English phrase 'stay strong' is translated into Portuguese as seja forte.
This expression is used to encourage someone to remain brave or resilient during a difficult time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase seja forte is literally translated as 'be strong'.
Which one should you use?
While seja forte is the standard way to express this, fica forte is a more colloquial way to say 'be/stay strong' when speaking to a close friend or someone you address with 'tu'. Additionally, continua forte is used to mean 'keep being strong'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Seja forte is used when addressing one person in a way that is grammatically formal or standard. To tell a group of people to stay strong, you must change both the verb and the adjective to the plural: sejam fortes.
Did you know?
- If you want to tell someone to 'stay strong' in a very informal, urban setting in Brazil, you might hear the slang 'segura a onda', which literally means 'hold the wave'.
- In Brazil, when someone is grieving, people often pair seja forte with the phrase meus sentimentos, which translates to 'my feelings' but means 'my condolences'.
- The form seja is inherited from Old Galician-Portuguese, a language that once served as a bridge between what we now know as Galician and Portuguese.
Examples in context
- Seja forte, tudo vai dar certo.Stay strong, everything will work out.
- Seja forte neste momento difícil.Stay strong during this difficult moment.
- Por favor, seja forte para sua família.Please, stay strong for your family.
- Eu sei que você consegue, seja forte.I know you can do it, stay strong.
Example conversation
Mariana is comforting Felipe after he lost his job.
- MarianaSinto muito pela notícia, Felipe.I am so sorry about the news, Felipe.
- FelipeObrigado, Mariana. Está sendo muito difícil.Thank you, Mariana. It is being very difficult.
- MarianaApenas seja forte, tudo vai melhorar.Just stay strong, everything will get better.
- FelipeEu vou tentar.I will try.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries forte, seja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
