são 30秒了解
- 'São' means 'are' (plural) for inherent qualities, identity, origin, profession.
- It's the third-person plural of 'ser' (to be).
- Use for multiple subjects: They are..., You all are...
- Distinguish from 'estão' (temporary states).
The Portuguese word 'são' is a fundamental verb form, specifically the third-person plural present indicative of the verb 'ser,' which means 'to be.' This is a crucial concept for English speakers because 'ser' is one of the two main verbs for 'to be' in Portuguese, alongside 'estar.' 'Ser' is used to describe inherent qualities, characteristics, origins, professions, and permanent states. Therefore, 'são' is used when referring to multiple subjects that possess these types of enduring attributes.
You will encounter 'são' in countless everyday situations. For instance, when describing the nationality of a group of people, their professions, their physical descriptions, or their relationships, 'são' is the verb you'll need. It's essential for forming complete and accurate sentences about groups. Think of it as the plural equivalent of 'é' (he/she/it is) or 'sou' (I am). Learning to use 'são' correctly is a significant step towards fluency, as it allows you to talk about groups of people and things in a much more descriptive and comprehensive way.
- Key Uses of 'Ser' (and thus 'são'):
- Identity and Origin: They are Brazilians. (Eles são brasileiros.)
- Professions: They are doctors. (Eles são médicos.)
- Characteristics: They are intelligent. (Eles são inteligentes.)
- Possession: These are my books. (Estes são meus livros.)
- Time and Dates: They are already 8 o'clock. (São 8 horas.)
Understanding the distinction between 'ser' and 'estar' is paramount in Portuguese. While 'são' (from 'ser') describes what things fundamentally are, 'estão' (from 'estar') describes temporary states or conditions. For example, 'Eles são altos' (They are tall - a permanent characteristic) versus 'Eles estão cansados' (They are tired - a temporary state). Mastering 'são' is a building block for forming more complex and nuanced sentences about the world around you.
Eles são meus amigos de infância.
As casas são muito bonitas.
- Contextual Usage:
- When describing inherent qualities of multiple items: 'Os carros são rápidos.' (The cars are fast.)
- When stating the origin of a group: 'Eles são de Portugal.' (They are from Portugal.)
- When identifying professions of multiple individuals: 'Nós somos estudantes.' (We are students.) - Note: 'somos' is the first-person plural, but demonstrates the 'ser' verb usage.
Using 'são' correctly involves understanding its role as the third-person plural form of 'ser.' This means it's employed when the subject of the sentence is 'eles' (they, masculine/mixed), 'elas' (they, feminine), or 'vocês' (you all). The core function of 'são' is to describe inherent characteristics, identities, origins, professions, and permanent states. It's about defining what something or someone fundamentally is, rather than how they are feeling or what they are doing at a particular moment.
Let's break down the common sentence structures where 'são' appears. The most straightforward is Subject + 'são' + Noun/Adjective. For example, 'Os livros são interessantes' (The books are interesting). Here, 'livros' (books) is the plural subject, and 'interessantes' (interesting) describes an inherent quality. Similarly, 'Eles são engenheiros' (They are engineers). 'Engenheiros' is a profession, a core part of identity.
When dealing with origins, 'são' is indispensable. 'As pessoas são do Brasil' (The people are from Brazil). 'Do Brasil' indicates origin. Possessive statements also utilize 'são': 'Estes são os meus sapatos' (These are my shoes). The demonstrative pronoun 'estes' (these) acts as the plural subject here.
Time is another common domain for 'são.' While it might seem counterintuitive, when stating the time, you use 'são' for any hour other than one o'clock. For example, 'Agora são três horas' (It is three o'clock now). This is a convention in Portuguese. Contrast this with 'É uma hora' (It is one o'clock).
It's crucial to remember the contrast with 'estar.' If you want to say 'They are tired,' you would use 'Eles estão cansados.' 'Cansados' describes a temporary state. However, if you want to say 'They are tired people' (implying it's a characteristic, perhaps they always seem tired), you might say 'Eles são pessoas cansadas,' though this is less common. The primary distinction remains: 'ser' for permanent/inherent, 'estar' for temporary/conditional.
Os alunos são muito dedicados aos estudos.
- Sentence Structures:
- Plural Subject + são + Noun (Profession/Identity): As crianças são curiosas.
- Plural Subject + são + Adjective (Characteristic): As flores são coloridas.
- Plural Subject + são + Prepositional Phrase (Origin/Possession): Os documentos são da empresa.
- Time expressions (plural hours): Agora são dez e meia.
You will hear 'são' constantly in any conversation involving multiple people or things in Portuguese. It's a cornerstone of everyday language. Imagine walking through a market in Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro; vendors might describe their produce: 'Estas frutas são frescas e deliciosas!' (These fruits are fresh and delicious!). Here, 'são' applies to 'frutas' (fruits), describing their inherent quality of freshness.
In social settings, friends might introduce each other: 'Estes são meus pais.' (These are my parents.) or 'Elas são minhas irmãs.' (They are my sisters.). These are statements of identity and relationship, directly using 'são' to define who these people are to the speaker.
In professional environments, you'll hear it too. A tour guide might say, 'Estes edifícios são monumentos históricos.' (These buildings are historical monuments.) or 'Os funcionários são muito eficientes.' (The employees are very efficient.). These examples highlight 'são' used for identification and inherent characteristics.
Even in casual conversations about preferences or opinions regarding groups of items, 'são' is prevalent. 'Os filmes de ação são os meus favoritos.' (Action movies are my favorites.) or 'As novas regras são um pouco confusas.' (The new rules are a bit confusing.).
You'll also hear it in educational contexts. A teacher might say, 'Os planetas são corpos celestes.' (The planets are celestial bodies.) or 'As respostas corretas são estas.' (The correct answers are these.).
When people discuss time, especially in a group setting or when referring to multiple events happening at certain times, 'são' is used. 'Que horas são?' (What time is it? - literally, what hours are they?). The answer would be like 'São duas horas' (It's two o'clock).
In essence, any time you hear a plural subject being described by its inherent nature, origin, profession, or identity, 'são' will likely be involved. It's a foundational verb form you'll encounter in virtually every aspect of spoken and written Portuguese.
Esses carros são muito eficientes em termos de combustível.
- Common Scenarios:
- Describing characteristics of multiple objects: 'As montanhas são altas.' (The mountains are high.)
- Identifying groups of people: 'Eles são turistas.' (They are tourists.)
- Discussing origins: 'As especiarias são da Índia.' (The spices are from India.)
- Stating the time (for hours other than 1): 'São seis horas da tarde.' (It's six o'clock in the afternoon.)
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with 'são' is confusing it with the singular form 'é.' Since English often uses 'is' for both singular and plural subjects in certain contexts (e.g., 'The apples are red,' but sometimes people might incorrectly think of 'is' for a collective noun), it's easy to slip up. For instance, saying 'As maçãs é vermelhas' instead of 'As maçãs são vermelhas' is a common error. Remember, 'é' is for one subject, and 'são' is for two or more.
Another pitfall is the incorrect application of 'ser' versus 'estar.' Learners might use 'são' when they should use 'estão.' For example, saying 'Eles são cansados' when they mean 'Eles estão cansados' (They are tired). 'Cansados' as a temporary state requires 'estar.' Using 'são' here implies that being tired is an inherent, permanent characteristic, which is usually not the intended meaning.
A related error is not correctly identifying the plural subject. Sometimes, the subject might be implied or separated from the verb, leading to agreement errors. For example, if the sentence is 'Os livros que comprei é muito bons,' the correct form should be 'Os livros que comprei são muito bons.' The relative clause 'que comprei' modifies 'livros,' which is plural, thus requiring 'são'.
Furthermore, there's the confusion with the first and second-person plural forms. While 'são' is for 'eles/elas/vocês,' learners might accidentally use it when they mean 'somos' (we are) or 'sois' (you all are, less common in Brazil). For instance, saying 'Eles são felizes' when the speaker is part of the group and should say 'Nós somos felizes.' Consistency in subject-verb agreement is key.
Finally, errors can occur with time expressions. While 'é uma hora' is correct for 1 o'clock, many forget that for all other hours, 'são' is used. Saying 'É duas horas' instead of 'São duas horas' is a common mistake. This is a specific grammatical rule for telling time in Portuguese.
Incorrect: Os carros é rápidos.
Correct: Os carros são rápidos.
- Common Error Examples:
- Singular/Plural Confusion: Saying 'Os amigos é legal' instead of 'Os amigos são legais.'
- Ser vs. Estar Error: Saying 'As pessoas são tristes' when meaning 'As pessoas estão tristes' (they are sad temporarily).
- Time Expression Error: Saying 'É três horas' instead of 'São três horas.'
- Incorrect Person: Using 'são' when 'somos' is needed for 'we': 'Nós são brasileiros' instead of 'Nós somos brasileiros.'
The most crucial distinction for 'são' is with the verb 'estar.' While 'são' (from 'ser') describes inherent, permanent qualities, identities, origins, professions, and characteristics, 'estão' (from 'estar') describes temporary states, conditions, locations, and feelings. For example, 'Eles são altos' means 'They are tall' (a permanent physical trait). In contrast, 'Eles estão cansados' means 'They are tired' (a temporary state).
Within the verb 'ser' itself, 'são' is the third-person plural. Its singular counterpart is 'é' (he/she/it is). So, 'O carro é rápido' (The car is fast) versus 'Os carros são rápidos' (The cars are fast). Similarly, 'Eu sou médico' (I am a doctor) and 'Nós somos médicos' (We are doctors).
Sometimes, the verb 'ter' (to have) can be used in constructions that might seem similar, especially when expressing possession or certain states. For instance, instead of 'Eles são muitos,' one might say 'Eles têm muitos' in specific contexts, though this is less direct and common for describing quantity as an inherent characteristic. However, 'ter' is primarily about possession ('Eles têm casas' - They have houses).
In terms of alternatives for describing groups, context is key. If you are describing a temporary situation for a group, 'estão' is the alternative. If you are simply listing items or people, you might use constructions like 'Aqui estão...' (Here are...). For example, 'Aqui estão os documentos' (Here are the documents). This uses 'estar' to indicate presence or availability, not an inherent quality.
When expressing existence or occurrence, 'haver' (in its impersonal form 'há') can sometimes be used, but it doesn't directly replace 'são.' 'Há muitos livros na biblioteca' (There are many books in the library) states existence, not a characteristic of the books themselves.
It's also important to note regional variations. While 'são' is standard, pronunciation and usage nuances might exist. However, the core meaning and grammatical function remain consistent across Portuguese-speaking countries.
- Comparison Table:
- 'são' (ser): Permanent qualities, identity, origin, profession. Plural subject. Example: 'Os alunos são inteligentes.'
- 'estão' (estar): Temporary states, conditions, location, feelings. Plural subject. Example: 'Os alunos estão cansados.'
- 'é' (ser): Permanent qualities, identity, origin, profession. Singular subject. Example: 'O aluno é inteligente.'
- 'está' (estar): Temporary states, conditions, location, feelings. Singular subject. Example: 'O aluno está cansado.'
- 'somos' (ser): Permanent qualities, identity, origin, profession. First-person plural subject. Example: 'Nós somos amigos.'
How Formal Is It?
趣味小知识
The nasal diphthong 'ão' in Portuguese is a unique development that evolved from Latin endings. It's a characteristic sound of the language and appears in many common words. The evolution from Latin 'sunt' to Portuguese 'são' involved significant phonetic changes over centuries.
发音指南
- Pronouncing 'ão' as a distinct 'a' and 'o' sound without nasalization.
- Adding an extra syllable.
- Not nasalizing the 'ão' sound properly.
难度评级
Understanding 'são' in reading is straightforward once the concept of plural subjects and the verb 'ser' is grasped. The main challenge is distinguishing it from 'é' and recognizing when 'ser' is appropriate over 'estar'.
按水平分级的例句
Eles são meus amigos.
They are my friends.
Third person plural of 'ser' used for relationships.
As casas são azuis.
The houses are blue.
Describes a characteristic of multiple objects.
Nós somos estudantes.
We are students.
First person plural of 'ser' for profession/identity.
Vocês são brasileiros?
Are you (plural) Brazilian?
Asking about nationality (origin) for a group.
Os carros são rápidos.
The cars are fast.
Describes a characteristic.
Elas são irmãs.
They are sisters.
Describes a relationship.
Os dias são longos no verão.
The days are long in summer.
Describes a characteristic of days.
Estes são meus sapatos.
These are my shoes.
Possession.
Os livros na estante são interessantes.
The books on the shelf are interesting.
Describes a characteristic of multiple objects.
Eles são engenheiros em uma grande empresa.
They are engineers in a big company.
Profession and workplace.
As crianças são muito curiosas.
The children are very curious.
Characteristic of a group.
Vocês são de Portugal?
Are you (plural) from Portugal?
Asking about origin for a group.
As flores do jardim são lindas.
The garden flowers are beautiful.
Describing the beauty of multiple flowers.
Eles são os donos da loja.
They are the owners of the store.
Identity/Role.
Os resultados do teste são positivos.
The test results are positive.
Describing the nature of results.
Agora são duas horas da tarde.
It is now two o'clock in the afternoon.
Stating the time (plural hour).
Os novos funcionários são muito eficientes e dedicados.
The new employees are very efficient and dedicated.
Describes inherent professional qualities.
As tradições culturais deste país são ricas e variadas.
The cultural traditions of this country are rich and varied.
Describes inherent characteristics of traditions.
Vocês são responsáveis por garantir a segurança.
You (plural) are responsible for ensuring safety.
Defining a role and responsibility.
Os problemas que enfrentamos são complexos, mas solucionáveis.
The problems we face are complex, but solvable.
Describes the nature of problems.
Estas pinturas são obras de arte famosas.
These paintings are famous works of art.
Classification and identification.
Eles são os arquitetos do projeto.
They are the architects of the project.
Defining professional roles.
Os argumentos apresentados são convincentes.
The arguments presented are convincing.
Describing the quality of arguments.
São dez para as oito da manhã.
It is ten to eight in the morning.
Specific time expression (plural hour).
As políticas econômicas implementadas recentemente são controversas.
The economic policies recently implemented are controversial.
Describing the nature/quality of policies.
Os testemunhos colhidos durante a investigação são cruciais para o caso.
The testimonies gathered during the investigation are crucial for the case.
Describing the importance/nature of testimonies.
Vocês são os únicos que podem tomar essa decisão importante.
You (plural) are the only ones who can make this important decision.
Defining exclusivity and capability.
Os desafios ambientais que o planeta enfrenta são imensos.
The environmental challenges the planet faces are immense.
Describing the scale of challenges.
Estas descobertas científicas são um marco para a humanidade.
These scientific discoveries are a milestone for humanity.
Classifying the significance of discoveries.
Eles são os fundadores da organização sem fins lucrativos.
They are the founders of the non-profit organization.
Defining their foundational role.
Os padrões de comportamento observados são preocupantes.
The observed behavioral patterns are concerning.
Describing the nature of patterns.
São onze horas e meia da noite.
It is eleven thirty at night.
Specific time expression (plural hour).
As narrativas históricas frequentemente são moldadas pelas perspectivas dominantes.
Historical narratives are often shaped by dominant perspectives.
Describing an inherent characteristic of narratives.
Os princípios éticos que regem esta profissão são inegociáveis.
The ethical principles governing this profession are non-negotiable.
Defining the fundamental nature of principles.
Vocês são os artífices de um futuro mais sustentável.
You (plural) are the architects of a more sustainable future.
Metaphorically defining their role in creation.
As implicações filosóficas dessas teorias são profundas.
The philosophical implications of these theories are profound.
Describing the depth of implications.
Estas inovações tecnológicas são revolucionárias e prometem transformar a sociedade.
These technological innovations are revolutionary and promise to transform society.
Classifying the impact of innovations.
Eles são os precursores de um novo movimento artístico.
They are the precursors of a new artistic movement.
Defining their role as pioneers.
Os paradoxos inerentes à condição humana são temas recorrentes na literatura.
The paradoxes inherent in the human condition are recurring themes in literature.
Describing the essential nature of paradoxes.
São quinze para a meia-noite.
It is a quarter to midnight.
Specific time expression (plural hour).
As nuances semânticas que distinguem esses termos são sutis, mas cruciais para uma comunicação precisa.
The semantic nuances that distinguish these terms are subtle but crucial for precise communication.
Describing the subtle nature of nuances.
Os arquétipos universais que emergem das mitologias são testemunhos da psique coletiva.
The universal archetypes emerging from mythologies are testaments to the collective psyche.
Defining the role and significance of archetypes.
Vocês são os catalisadores de uma mudança paradigmática em seu campo.
You (plural) are the catalysts of a paradigmatic shift in your field.
Metaphorically defining their role in initiating change.
As contingências históricas que levaram à sua formação são complexas e multifacetadas.
The historical contingencies that led to its formation are complex and multifaceted.
Describing the intricate nature of contingencies.
Estas ontologias emergentes são fundamentais para a compreensão da realidade pós-moderna.
These emerging ontologies are fundamental to understanding postmodern reality.
Classifying their foundational importance.
Eles são os artífices da própria desgraça, presos em um ciclo de autodestruição.
They are the architects of their own misfortune, trapped in a cycle of self-destruction.
Defining their role in creating their own fate.
Os anacronismos intencionais na obra são recursos estilísticos deliberados.
The intentional anachronisms in the work are deliberate stylistic devices.
Describing the intentional nature of stylistic choices.
São cinco minutos para a meia-noite.
It is five minutes to midnight.
Specific time expression (plural hour).
常见搭配
常用短语
— They are... (used to describe multiple people or things).
Eles são meus vizinhos. (They are my neighbors.)
— They are... (used to describe multiple female people or things).
Elas são as professoras. (They are the teachers.)
— You all are... (used to address multiple people).
Vocês são muito amigáveis. (You all are very friendly.)
— The ... are... (used to describe plural nouns).
Os carros são caros. (The cars are expensive.)
— What time is it? (Literally: What hours are they?).
Que horas são? São oito da manhã. (What time is it? It's eight in the morning.)
— It is ... o'clock. (Used for any hour except one o'clock).
São seis horas. (It is six o'clock.)
— These are... (used to point out multiple items).
Estes são os meus livros. (These are my books.)
— They are the... (used for identification of a group).
Eles são os responsáveis. (They are the ones responsible.)
— The problems are... (used to describe the nature of problems).
Os problemas são complexos. (The problems are complex.)
— Things are... (used to describe general situations or objects).
As coisas são como são. (Things are as they are.)
习语与表达
— Literally means 'to be a slipper-foot'. It's used informally to describe someone who is lazy, indolent, or avoids work. The plural form would be 'serem pés-de-chinelo'.
Aqueles rapazes são uns pés-de-chinelo, nunca ajudam em nada.
Informal— Literally means 'to be a hard bone to gnaw'. It describes someone or something that is difficult to deal with, a tough opponent, or a challenging problem. The plural is 'serem ossos duros de roer'.
O novo chefe é um osso duro de roer; não aceita desculpas.
Informal— Literally means 'to be of the against'. It describes someone who is contrary, argumentative, or always disagrees, often for the sake of it. The plural is 'serem do contra'.
Ele é muito do contra, sempre discorda de tudo.
Informal— Literally means 'to be the daily bread'. It refers to something that is common, routine, or happens every day, often something negative or difficult that one must endure.
No trânsito de São Paulo, a demora são o pão de cada dia.
Informal— Literally means 'to be the last to know'. It describes someone who is unaware of something that most other people already know, often something important or surprising.
Ela não sabia da festa? Ela é sempre a última a saber.
Informal— Literally means 'to be palm oil'. This idiom, particularly common in Brazil (especially Bahia), refers to someone who is essential, indispensable, or adds flavor and spice to a situation or group. It's often used for someone who brings energy or is crucial to the functioning of something.
Naquela equipe, ele é o azeite de dendê; sem ele, nada funciona.
Informal/Cultural— Literally means 'to be a bare-foot'. It refers to someone who is poor, destitute, or has nothing.
Ele veio de uma família de pés-rapados, mas lutou para ter sucesso.
Informal— Literally means 'to be the hole-patcher'. It refers to someone who is temporarily filling a position or role, often without being the permanent solution.
Ele está apenas como tapa-buraco na gerência até encontrarem um substituto permanente.
Informal— Literally means 'to be a sea of roses'. It describes a situation that is easy, pleasant, and without problems. The plural would imply multiple such pleasant situations.
A vida dele não é um mar de rosas; ele enfrenta muitos desafios.
Informal— Literally means 'to be the soul of the party'. It describes someone who is lively, charismatic, and brings energy and fun to a social gathering.
Com a sua energia, ela é sempre a alma da festa.
Informal词族
名词
动词
相关
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of 'são' as sounding like 'song' but with a nasal 'ng' sound and a 'w' at the end. Imagine a group of people singing a song together – they 'são' singing. The plural aspect is key: multiple people singing.
视觉联想
Picture a group of people (e.g., three or more) standing together, perhaps pointing at themselves and saying 'We are...' or being identified by someone else as 'They are...'. Associate the plural nature with the 'são' sound.
Word Web
挑战
Try to describe five different groups of people or things using 'são'. For example, 'Os cachorros são fofos.' (The dogs are cute.) 'Os livros são pesados.' (The books are heavy.) Make sure to use plural subjects and describe inherent qualities.
词源
The word 'são' originates from Latin. It evolved from the Latin word 'sunt', which is the third-person plural present indicative form of the verb 'esse' (to be). This Latin root is shared with many Romance languages, explaining similar forms in Spanish ('son') and Italian ('sono').
原始含义： The original Latin meaning of 'sunt' was 'they are'.
Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > Portuguese文化背景
When discussing groups of people, using 'são' correctly for identity and origin is important. Misgendering or misidentifying groups can be insensitive. Ensure the subject and verb agree in number and gender where applicable.
In English, 'are' serves both singular (in collective nouns sometimes) and plural contexts, but Portuguese distinguishes strictly between singular ('é') and plural ('são'). This grammatical distinction is fundamental to expressing agreement in Portuguese.
Summary
The Portuguese word 'são' is the third-person plural form of 'ser' (to be), essential for describing multiple subjects' inherent qualities, identities, origins, and professions. It translates to 'are' in English and must be distinguished from 'estão' (are, for temporary states). Example: 'Eles são médicos.' (They are doctors.)
- 'São' means 'are' (plural) for inherent qualities, identity, origin, profession.
- It's the third-person plural of 'ser' (to be).
- Use for multiple subjects: They are..., You all are...
- Distinguish from 'estão' (temporary states).
相关内容
这个词在其他语言中
相关表达
更多general词汇
a cerca de
B1在谈论距离或未来时间时，意为“大约”或“大概”。
à direita
A2向右或在右侧。用于指示方向或位置。
à esquerda
A2在左边。用于指示方向或描述位置。
a fim de
A2为了；想要。 '为了通过考试而学习。' / '我想吃比萨。'
à frente
A2在...前面 (Zài... qiánmiàn). '他在我前面。'
a frente
A2在前面; 向前
À frente de
A2在……前面或领导……。'汽车在房子前面'。
a tempo
A2及时，准时。用于表示某事在截止日期或特定事件之前发生。
à volta de
A2在...周围。用于空间（桌子周围）或估算（约十欧元）。
abaixo
A1在...下面; 在下方。
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