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Cake day: June 26th, 2023

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  • Even beyond just emotions, in Portuguese the “be” verb can be translated into two different verbs: “ser” and “estar”. They are two complete separate things - so separate that English classes kinda turned the “to be” verb into a meme due to how long it takes to teach Portuguese speakers to use it and understand what it means in each sentence.

    “Ser”: to be someone who is something. Usually more permanent, but not necessarily.

    “Estar”: to be in the state of something. Usually more temporary, but also applies to permanent states.

    Some examples showing how the meaning of some expressions change depending on which verb you use:

    You are sick “Ser”: you are a sick (twisted/evil) person. “Estar”: you have caught some sickness.

    You are sad “Ser”: life has made you sad in general. “Estar”: you’re feeling sad right now.

    You are beautiful: “Ser”: you are a beautiful person. “Estar”: you are looking great today.

    You’re good at this: “Ser”: literal, you’re good at this. “Estar”: implies being good is not the default but you have reached the point of being good at this.

    **you’re funny drunk": “Ser”: when you’re drunk you are funny. “Estar”: you are drunk now and this time you turned out to be funny while drunk. Or, in this point of your life you’re funny when you’re drunk.

    it’s cold there: “Ser”: that is a cold place. “Estar”: that place is cold right now.

    it’s cold there now “Ser”: it’s like saying that winters in that place used to be mild but nowadays winter there can get pretty cold “Estar”: that place is cold right now.