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How to Say ‘Are you always so difficult’ in Portuguese

És sempre tão difícil

esh SEHNG-pruh towng dee-FEE-seel

[esh SEHNG-pruh towng dee-FEE-seel]

Phrase Breakdown

És sempre

esh SEHNG-pruh

Are you always

'És' is the informal 'you are' (from 'ser'). The open 'é' sounds like 'eh', and the final 's' sounds like 'sh': 'esh SEM-pre'. The final 'e' of 'sempre' is almost silent.

Example

És sempre tão simpático.

You're always so nice.

Words in this phrase

És

[esh]

you are

2nd person singular of "ser" (tu). Used when addressing someone informally (common in Portugal).

Example

És muito simpática por explicares como funciona o metro.

You’re very nice for explaining how the metro works.

sempre

[SEHNG-pruh]

always

Adverb meaning 'always'.

Example

Há sempre espaço para aprender mais sobre a empresa.

There is always room to learn more about the company.

tão difícil

towng dee-FEE-seel

so difficult

'Tão' means 'so' and has a nasal 'ão' sound. Stress the middle of 'difícil': 'dee-FEE-seel'.

Example

O exame foi tão difícil.

The exam was so difficult.

Words in this phrase

tão

[towng]

Used before an adjective to mean so or such.

Example

Tão intensifica em “Que roupa tão gira.”

So intensifies in “What lovely clothes.”

difícil

[dee-FEE-seel]

difficult

Adjective: hard, difficult; of people, hard to deal with.

Example

Este teste é difícil.

This test is difficult.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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