In this guide, we will explore various ways to express the word “strong” in Portuguese. Whether you want to describe physical strength, emotional resilience, or the strength of an idea, we’ve got you covered. We’ll begin by looking at the formal ways of saying “strong” in Portuguese, followed by the informal options. So, let’s dive in and learn how to convey strength in this beautiful language!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Strong
When it comes to expressing strength formally in Portuguese, there are a few words and phrases that you can use. Here are some examples:
1. Forte – This is the most common and standard way to say “strong” in Portuguese. It can refer to physical strength, as well as inner strength. For example: – Ele é muito forte. (He is very strong.)
– Tenha uma mente forte. (Have a strong mind.)2. Resistente – This term emphasizes durability and resilience. It is often used to describe objects or materials that are physically strong. For example: – Essa parede é resistente. (This wall is strong.)
– Meu corpo é resistente. (My body is strong.)3. Robusto – This word conveys the idea of strength combined with sturdiness and robustness. It can describe both people and things. For example: – Ela é uma mulher robusta. (She is a strong woman.)
– Precisamos de um carro robusto para essa estrada. (We need a strong car for this road.)4. Poderoso – While this term is commonly translated as “powerful,” it can also encompass the concept of strength in certain contexts. It can refer to physical strength or even influential strength. For example: – Ele é um homem poderoso. (He is a strong man.)
– Ondas poderosas atingiram a praia. (Powerful waves hit the beach.)
Informal Ways to Say Strong
When talking informally, the Portuguese language offers a variety of alternative expressions to describe strength. Here are a few popular ones:
1. Fortão/Fortona – This is a colloquial way to say someone is “super strong.” The suffix “-ão/-ona” adds intensity to the word “forte.” For example: – Ele é um cara fortão. (He is a really strong guy.)
– Aquela mulher é fortona. (That woman is super strong.)2. Durão/Durona – This term is often used to describe someone who is physically tough and strong-willed. For example: – Não se engane, ele é durão. (Don’t be fooled; he is tough.)
– Ela é uma mulher durona. (She is a tough woman.)3. Bombado/Bombada – This slang term is used to describe someone who is muscular and strong, specifically in a gym-related context. For example: – Aquele cara é todo bombado, malha muito. (That guy is all buffed up, works out a lot.)
– Ela é bombada, treina pesado. (She is muscular, trains hard.)
Regional Variations
While the words and phrases mentioned above are broadly used throughout the Portuguese-speaking world, there might be some regional variations in specific regions. For instance, in Brazil, you might come across the informal terms like “marombado/marombada” or “malhadão/malhadona,” which also mean “well-muscled” or “strong.” However, the examples mentioned earlier will work well in most Portuguese-speaking regions.
Additional Tips
To better understand how to use these expressions effectively, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Practice pronunciation: Make sure to listen to native Portuguese speakers to refine your pronunciation of these words and phrases.
- Context matters: Consider the context in which you want to use the word “strong” to ensure you choose the most appropriate expression.
- Adapt to your audience: When using informal language, make sure it is suitable for the people you are speaking with.
- Learn synonyms: Expand your vocabulary by exploring synonyms of “strong” to add variety to your conversations.
Now that you have learned various ways to express “strong” in Portuguese, you can confidently describe strength in different situations. Remember to practice using these words and phrases regularly to become more proficient in Portuguese!
