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Questions & Answers about Ele está descontraído.
What does Ele mean in this sentence?
Ele is the third person singular masculine pronoun in Portuguese, which translates to "he" in English.
Why is the verb estar used here instead of ser?
Portuguese uses estar to describe temporary or changeable states. In this sentence, "Ele está descontraído" conveys that he is feeling relaxed at the moment, rather than describing an inherent, permanent quality (which would use ser).
How should descontraído be translated, and are there any nuances to its meaning?
Descontraído is typically translated as "relaxed" or "laid-back." Beyond just being calm, it often implies a sense of informality, ease, and unpretentiousness in a person’s demeanor.
Can descontraído be used to describe things other than people?
Yes, while descontraído is commonly used to describe a relaxing or easy-going personality, it can also be applied to contexts like an atmosphere or environment that is informal and relaxed.
How does the accent mark in descontraído affect its pronunciation?
The acute accent on the í in descontraído indicates that the syllable -traí- is stressed. This helps ensure correct pronunciation, guiding you to say it roughly as des-kon-TRA-ee-doo.
How would the sentence change if describing a female subject or multiple subjects?
For a female subject, the sentence becomes "Ela está descontraída," with the adjective changing to agree in gender. For plural subjects, adjust both the verb and the adjective accordingly:
• "Eles estão descontraídos" for a group of males or mixed genders.
• "Elas estão descontraídas" for an all-female group.