Which one should you use?
The choice of verb changes the meaning significantly. Using the verb estar in você está gordo suggests that the person's weight is a current state that might change. In contrast, using the verb ser in você é gordo implies that being fat is a permanent characteristic or an inherent trait of the person.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, you may hear Você tá acima do peso ideal. to mean "You are above the ideal weight." In European Portuguese, you can say Tens uns quilinhos a mais. (You have a few extra kilos) or Estás um pouco pesado/pesada. (You are a bit heavy).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must change to the feminine form gorda if you are speaking to a woman. To address more than one person, use the plural forms vocês estão gordos for a group of men or mixed genders and vocês estão gordas for a group of women.
Did you know?
- Calling someone gordo can be used as a term of endearment or a nickname among close friends and family in Brazil.
- The word você originates from the phrase vossa mercee, which means 'your mercy'.
Example conversation
Juliana is talking to Lucas about his health.
- JulianaLucas, você está gordo.Lucas, you're fat.
- LucasPor que você está dizendo isso?Why are you saying that?
- JulianaPorque suas roupas estão apertadas.Because your clothes are tight.
- LucasVou começar a malhar amanhã.I will start working out tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries está, gordo, você, CC BY-SA 4.0.
