Signification
Introduces a statement that is presented as the honest truth.
Contexte culturel
In Brazil, 'A bem da verdade' is often used in TV news (like Jornal Nacional) to introduce a fact-check or a clarification. It sounds authoritative and serious. Portuguese speakers tend to use more formal registers in daily life than Brazilians. You might hear this phrase in a serious dinner conversation or a radio debate more often in Lisbon than in Rio. In African Lusophone countries, formal Portuguese is highly valued in official and educational settings. This phrase is a staple of academic and legal writing there. In the Lusophone corporate world, this phrase is a 'softener'. It allows a subordinate to correct a superior by framing the correction as a service to the truth rather than a personal challenge.
The Comma is Key
Always follow 'A bem da verdade' with a comma in writing. It marks the pause that gives the phrase its rhetorical weight.
Don't Overuse
If you use it every five minutes, you'll sound like you're hiding something or trying too hard to be serious.
Signification
Introduces a statement that is presented as the honest truth.
The Comma is Key
Always follow 'A bem da verdade' with a comma in writing. It marks the pause that gives the phrase its rhetorical weight.
Don't Overuse
If you use it every five minutes, you'll sound like you're hiding something or trying too hard to be serious.
Register Matching
If someone starts a sentence with 'Na real', don't reply with 'A bem da verdade'. Match their level of informality.
Use for Admissions
It's a great way to admit you don't know something while still sounding intelligent.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct formal expression.
__________, eu nunca estive em Lisboa antes.
The fixed expression is 'A bem da verdade'.
Which sentence uses the phrase in the most appropriate register?
Context: A formal business meeting.
This option uses the formal phrase in a serious, professional context.
Choose the best response to complete the dialogue.
A: 'Você gostou da palestra do Dr. Silva?' B: '__________'
The phrase is used here to introduce a polite but honest critique.
Match the phrase to the most likely situation.
Situation: A politician admitting that a law didn't work as expected.
Politicians use formal language like 'A bem da verdade' and 'aquém do esperado' to maintain authority while admitting failure.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Honesty Registers in Portuguese
Banque d exercices
4 exercices__________, eu nunca estive em Lisboa antes.
The fixed expression is 'A bem da verdade'.
Context: A formal business meeting.
This option uses the formal phrase in a serious, professional context.
A: 'Você gostou da palestra do Dr. Silva?' B: '__________'
The phrase is used here to introduce a polite but honest critique.
Situation: A politician admitting that a law didn't work as expected.
Politicians use formal language like 'A bem da verdade' and 'aquém do esperado' to maintain authority while admitting failure.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it is considered formal. You'll hear it in news, speeches, and professional settings.
It's grammatically possible but not the standard idiom. Stick to 'A bem da verdade'.
'Na verdade' is like 'actually'. 'A bem da verdade' is like 'truth be told'—it's more emphatic and formal.
Only if you're being slightly ironic or discussing a very serious topic. Otherwise, it's too stiff.
Usually, but it can be used as an interjection in the middle of a sentence, surrounded by commas.
Yes, 'Na real' or 'Papo reto' (in Brazil) are the closest slang equivalents.
The 'd' sounds are softer, almost like a 'th' in 'this', and the final 'e' is almost silent.
Yes, it's perfect for formal or semi-formal emails where you need to clarify a point.
No, it actually sounds quite polite and sophisticated, as long as the context is appropriate.
It means 'good' or 'benefit' as a noun, not 'well' as an adverb.
Expressions liées
Para falar a verdade
similarTo tell the truth
Em abono da verdade
synonymIn support of the truth
Na verdade
similarActually / In fact
Diga-se de passagem
builds onIt should be said in passing
Sendo franco
similarBeing frank
