em verdade
/ẽj̃ veʁˈda.d͡ʒi/word by word
To say 'verily' in Portuguese, use em verdade.
The phrase em verdade is used to emphasize the sincerity of a statement or to introduce a profound truth, much like the English 'in truth' or 'verily'.
Meaning: truly, doubtlessly (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition em (in) and the noun verdade (truth).
Which one should you use?
While em verdade is solemn and formal, the colloquial expression de verdade is much more common in daily speech to express that something is real or true.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
em verdade is a formal phrase and is most commonly found in literary, religious or legal contexts rather than everyday conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /ẽj̃ veʁˈda.dʒi/.
Did you know?
- The Portuguese word verdade shares a common ancestor with the English word 'very', as both stem from the Proto-Indo-European root for 'truth'.
- Because em verdade is so heavily associated with biblical translations, using it in a non-religious modern context can often sound like a deliberate joke or a parody of a prophet.
- In Portuguese, the word verdade can function as a complete sentence on its own to signal strong agreement.
Example conversation
Mariana and Rodrigo are discussing a difficult decision.
- MarianaVocê acha que isso é a melhor escolha?Do you think this is the best choice?
- RodrigoSim, em verdade, é a única opção.Yes, truly, it is the only option.
- MarianaEu ainda tenho algumas dúvidas, Rodrigo.I still have some doubts, Rodrigo.
- RodrigoNão se preocupe, tudo dará certo.Don't worry, everything will work out.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (em, verdade) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries em, verdade, CC BY-SA 4.0.
