One of the most versatile words you’ll encounter while learning Brazilian Portuguese is bem, commonly translated as “well”. This word likely became familiar to you early in your language journey, especially if you’ve seen my popular video lesson on the popular Brazilian greeting tudo bem. However, bem in Portuguese has more tricks up its sleeve, and that’s what I’ll show you in this Portuguese lesson.
Expanding your vocabulary by learning additional uses of a word you already know sounds good, right?
Expanding the Use of Bem in Portuguese Beyond Well
In Brazilian Portuguese, bem is not limited to its direct translation “well”; it expands to express intensity and precision, much like “very” and “right” in English.
Bem = very, really
When used for emphasis, bem enhances the quality or degree of something.
Examples:
- Essa música é bem romântica. = This song is very romantic.
- Adriana é uma excelente assistente executiva. Ela é bem organizada. = Adriana is an excellent executive assistant. She is very organized.
- Vou tomar um banho bem rápido. Estarei pronta em dez minutos. = I will take a really quick shower. I’ll be ready in ten minutes.
- Pedro é bem alto. Ele tem quase dois metros de altura. = Pedro is really tall. He is almost two meters tall.
Make sure you also learn how to use bem as an intensifier in comparisons.
Bem = right
This usage aligns bem with adverbs of place, pinpointing locations precisely.
Examples:
- Seus óculos estão bem aí na mesa. Não tá vendo? = Your glasses are right there on the table. Don’t you see them?
- Tenho certeza que deixei meu carro bem aqui. Acho que roubaram meu carro! = I’m sure I left my car right here. I think my car was stolen!
- Carlinhos mora bem pertinho da praia. = Carlinhos lives very close to the beach/right by the beach.
Grammar Insight: Adjectives and Adverbs with Bem in Portuguese
A brief grammar note: bem modifies adjectives and adverbs, changing their intensity or specificity. While grammar might not be everyone’s favorite topic, understanding this will help enhance your proficiency and confidence in using Portuguese effectively.
Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns (people, places, things, ideas, events). They give us more information about the size, color, shape, or quality of a noun.
Examples of adjectives: grande (big), verde (green), feliz (happy), inteligente (intelligent)
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They provide information about how, when, where, or to what extent something happens.
Examples of adverbs: rapidamente (quickly), muito (very), aqui (here), ontem (yesterday).
Using Bem + Adjective
- Ela é bem inteligente. = She is very intelligent.
- O filme foi bem interessante. = The movie was really interesting.
Using Bem + Adverb:
- Ele fala bem alto. = He speaks very loudly.
- Nós chegamos bem cedo ao evento. = We arrived very early at the event.
Everyday Portuguese Essentials: É bem isso
In Brazil, the phrase “É bem isso” translates to “That’s exactly it” in English.
We use it to agree with someone’s statement or to confirm that their description or explanation is accurate.
You might use this phrase when you think someone has correctly captured a situation or concept, indicating full agreement or acknowledgment.
Here is an example:
João: Aprender línguas realmente exige muito esforço e comprometimento.
Lúcia: É bem isso! Mas vale a pena, pois abre muitas portas e oferece novas oportunidades.
Translation to English:
João: Learning languages really takes a lot of effort and commitment.
Lúcia: That’s exactly right! But it’s worth it because it opens many doors and offers new opportunities.
Bem vs. Bom
Bem is not the same as Bom.
We use them interchangeably in greetings – Tudo bem? Tudo bom! – just like in English when we say “I’m well” or “I’m good”. However, aside from that, these are different words with different uses, and they are not interchangeable.
Learn how to use each one and distinguish between them in my lesson about these two great words: bem and bom.
Now check out my old video lesson on using bem in Portuguese to express intensity, meaning very, really, and right. Although it’s one of my earlier productions, so the quality might not be top-notch, you get to hear the examples and learn pronunciation.
By mastering the use of bem in Portuguese you’ll add a layer of nuance to your Portuguese that mirrors the natural speech patterns of native speakers, enhancing both your understanding and your ability to express yourself authentically in everyday conversations.
Ready to Truly Excel in Brazilian Portuguese?
There’s something truly special about engaging in real conversations with a professional teacher. Unlike apps, videos, or books, one-on-one lessons provide a personalized experience that truly goes beyond the basics.
Whether you’re just starting out and need to build a solid foundation, or you’re at an intermediate or advanced level and looking to improve at your own pace, there’s no substitute for regular practice with a real teacher, who is not just a native speaker but a trained and experienced teacher who knows how to teach Portuguese effectively.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to achieve fluency and confidence in Portuguese through dedicated, personalized guidance. Book your one-on-one lesson with us today and start speaking Portuguese like a native!
This lesson was originally posted in October 2012. It has been updated.
