Meaning
Emphasizes sincerity before stating a fact or opinion.
Cultural Background
In Portugal, this phrase is often used with a very closed 'e' in 'verdade'. It sounds very distinguished and is common in political interviews on RTP. Brazilians might use 'Para falar a verdade' 90% of the time. Using 'A bem dizer a verdade' marks you as someone with a high level of education or someone being very serious. In Luanda, formal Portuguese is highly respected. This phrase is used in formal social gatherings to show respect while being honest. This phrase is a favorite of 19th-century novelists to show the internal conflict of characters who are forced to be honest.
The Comma is Key
Always follow the phrase with a comma in writing. It creates the necessary rhetorical pause.
Don't Overuse
If you use it in every sentence, you'll sound like you're hiding something or being overly dramatic.
Meaning
Emphasizes sincerity before stating a fact or opinion.
The Comma is Key
Always follow the phrase with a comma in writing. It creates the necessary rhetorical pause.
Don't Overuse
If you use it in every sentence, you'll sound like you're hiding something or being overly dramatic.
The 'Bem' Factor
In Portugal, removing the 'bem' makes it more direct. Adding 'bem' makes it more polite and considered.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct formal phrase.
__________, eu não esperava que o evento fosse tão produtivo.
The standard formal phrase is 'A bem dizer a verdade'.
Which situation is most appropriate for 'A bem dizer a verdade'?
Choose the best context:
The phrase is used for sincere clarifications in formal or serious contexts.
Complete the dialogue.
Ana: Você gostou do meu novo livro? Paulo: __________, achei a trama um pouco confusa.
Paulo is offering a sincere, slightly negative critique, which fits the phrase perfectly.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercises__________, eu não esperava que o evento fosse tão produtivo.
The standard formal phrase is 'A bem dizer a verdade'.
Choose the best context:
The phrase is used for sincere clarifications in formal or serious contexts.
Ana: Você gostou do meu novo livro? Paulo: __________, achei a trama um pouco confusa.
Paulo is offering a sincere, slightly negative critique, which fits the phrase perfectly.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, but it's slightly more formal. 'Para falar a verdade' is the closer equivalent to the casual 'To be honest'.
No, it almost always comes at the beginning or as an interruption in the middle.
It is understood by everyone but used mostly in formal writing or by older, educated speakers.
'A bem dizer' means 'practically' or 'virtually'. 'A bem dizer a verdade' means 'to tell the truth'.
No, that doesn't exist. The opposite would be something like 'Mentindo descaradamente' (Lying shamelessly).
Related Phrases
Para falar a verdade
similarTo tell the truth
Na verdade
similarActually / In fact
A bem dizer
specialized formVirtually / Practically
Sinceramente
synonymSincerely / Honestly
