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How to Say ‘That colour suits you.’ in Portuguese

Essa cor fica-lhe bem.

EH-sah kohr FEE-kah-lyuh bayN

[EH-sah kohr FEE-kah-lyuh bayN]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: This is a tactful compliment because it praises the choice rather than the person's looks, so it suits strangers.

Phrase Breakdown

Essa cor

EH-sah kohr

That colour

'Essa' means 'that' for something near the listener. 'Cor' is feminine and has an open 'o': 'kor'.

Example

Essa cor é bonita.

That colour is pretty.

Words in this phrase

Essa

[EH-sah]

that

"Essa" is a feminine demonstrative meaning that, referring to something near the listener or already mentioned.

Example

Essa oportunidade parece interessante para a tua carreira.

That opportunity seems interesting for your career.

cor

[kohr]

color

Characteristic of visual perception.

Example

Gosto da cor azul.

I like the color blue.

fica-lhe bem.

FEE-kah-lyuh bayN

suits you.

'Ficar bem a alguém' means 'to suit someone'. 'Lhe' is the polite 'you' and is attached with a hyphen, as is typical in Portugal: 'FEE-kuh-lyuh bayng'.

Example

Esse chapéu fica-lhe bem.

That hat suits you.

Words in this phrase

fica-lhe

[FEE-kah-lyuh]

suits you / looks on you

From 'ficar' (to stay, to look) plus 'lhe' (to you, formal); with 'bem' it means something suits someone.

Example

Esse casaco fica-lhe muito bem.

That coat suits you very well.

bem

[bayN]

Well

In good health or satisfactory.

Example

Ele está bem depois do susto.

He is well after the scare.

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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