de bem

Portuguese

Pronunciation

 

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /d͡ʒi ˈbẽj̃/ [d͡ʒi ˈbẽɪ̯̃]

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /d͡ʒi ˈbẽj̃/ [d͡ʒi ˈbẽɪ̯̃]
  • (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): /de ˈbẽj̃/ [de ˈbẽɪ̯̃]

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /dɨ ˈbɐ̃j̃/ [dɨ ˈβɐ̃j̃]

Adjective

de bem (invariable)

1. to be friendly, on speaking terms with someone

   Antonym: de mal

2. (by extension, especially with "life") to be happy or contented with something

   Synonym: quites

   Antonym: de mal

   Fulano está de bem com a vida.

   Jack is happy with life.

3. a good or upstanding person, someone who doesn't do crime

   Sicrano é um cidadão de bem, não tem por que prendê-lo!

   So-and-so is an upstanding citizen, there is no reason to arrest them!

   Como que ele se considera um brasileiro de bem se não paga os impostos?

   How can he consider himself a good Brazilian if he won't pay taxes?

Usage notes

• (upstanding person): This word is often accompanied ny 'citizen' or 'man', as in "cidadão de bem" or "homem de bem", and finds some usage in presidential campaigns.[1]