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Questions & Answers about O bife está bem passado.
What does the word bife mean in this sentence?
It means steak—a slice of beef prepared as a dish. This is the common Portuguese term used for a steak.
How is the phrase bem passado translated, and what does it indicate about the steak’s doneness?
Bem passado translates to well done in English. It indicates that the steak is cooked thoroughly, with no pink or red left inside.
Why is the verb está (from estar) used instead of the verb ser?
Estar is used because it describes a temporary state or condition—here, the current cooking level of the steak. Ser is normally used for inherent or permanent characteristics.
What role does the adverb bem play in the phrase bem passado?
Bem acts as an intensifier for the adjective passado, emphasizing that the steak is cooked very thoroughly, thus meaning well done.
How does the sentence structure of O bife está bem passado compare to typical English word order?
The structure is quite similar to English—following a Subject (O bife) + Verb (está) + Complement (bem passado) order. The main differences lie in vocabulary and the use of gendered articles.
What is the function of the definite article O before bife?
The article O specifies that a particular steak is being referenced and agrees in gender (masculine) and number (singular) with bife, reflecting the basic rules of Portuguese grammar.