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Questions & Answers about Para mim, o filme é bom.
Does para mim mean “in my opinion” or “for me”?
Both, depending on context. In this sentence it means “in my opinion.” It can also mean “for me” (beneficiary), as in Guarda isto para mim (Keep this for me). Synonyms for the opinion sense: Na minha opinião, A meu ver, Eu acho que…
Why is it mim and not eu after para?
After a preposition, Portuguese uses the tonic (stressed) pronoun forms: mim, ti, si, nós, vós, ele/ela, eles/elas, você(s). So it’s para mim, not “para eu.” Exception: if there’s an infinitive right after and the pronoun is the subject of that verb, you use eu: Para eu entender, precisas de repetir (For me to understand, you need to repeat). But you should not say para mim entender.
Can I use por mim instead of para mim?
Not for opinions. Por mim usually means “as far as I’m concerned/for my part” and often suggests permission or indifference: Por mim, podemos ir (I’m fine with us going). For opinions/judgments, use para mim: Para mim, o filme é bom.
Is the comma after Para mim required?
It’s recommended but not strictly required. With a short fronted phrase like Para mim, many writers include the comma: Para mim, o filme é bom. Without the comma (Para mim o filme é bom) is also acceptable. If you move the phrase to the end, no comma: O filme é bom para mim.
Is the word order fixed?
No. All of these are fine (slight differences in emphasis):
- Para mim, o filme é bom. (fronts your viewpoint)
- O filme é bom para mim. (neutral order) Very marked/literary options like É bom, para mim, o filme are possible but uncommon.
Why is there a definite article (o) before filme?
Portuguese typically uses articles with countable nouns when referring to a specific item. O filme = “the (specific) film.” Omitting the article here sounds odd. For generic statements, articles vary: Filmes bons são raros (Good films are rare).
Why bom and not bem?
Bom is an adjective (“good”) that describes nouns: O filme é bom.
Bem is an adverb (“well”): Ela canta bem (She sings well). To intensify adjectives, use muito/mesmo: O filme é muito bom / mesmo bom. Avoid “é bem bom” in European Portuguese (it’s Brazilian style).
Should it be é bom or está bom for a film?
- é bom (with ser) = inherent or general quality: a good film (most natural for reviews).
- está bom (with estar) = temporary/state-based; common with food or checking quality at a moment: O som está bom? For films, está bom might be used mid-viewing (“so far it’s good”), but the default evaluation is é bom.
How does bom agree with gender/number?
- Masculine singular: bom — o filme é bom
- Feminine singular: boa — a série é boa
- Masculine plural: bons — os filmes são bons
- Feminine plural: boas — as séries são boas Attributive position often prefers pre-nominal: um bom filme, uma boa série.
How would I say this in other tenses?
- Past (completed): Para mim, o filme foi bom.
- Past (background/habitual): Para mim, o filme era bom.
- Future/prediction: Para mim, o filme vai ser bom / será bom.
- Ongoing evaluation up to now: Para mim, o filme tem sido bom.
What’s the pronunciation in European Portuguese?
Roughly: [pɐˈɾɐ mĩ, u ˈfiɫmɨ ɛ bõ]
- para: [pɐˈɾɐ]; often reduced in speech (sounds like “p’ra”)
- mim: [mĩ] (nasal vowel; final m nasalizes the vowel)
- o (article): [u]
- filme: [ˈfiɫmɨ] (dark L; final e is a reduced vowel [ɨ])
- é: [ɛ] (open e)
- bom: [bõ] (nasal vowel; the final m isn’t fully pronounced)
Why does é have an accent?
É is the 3rd person singular of ser (“to be”) and carries an acute accent to mark stress and vowel quality. Without the accent, e means “and.”
Are there differences in Brazil?
- You’ll often hear pra mim in speech (informal contraction of para). In writing, para mim is standard.
- Pronunciation differs (e.g., filme ≈ [ˈfiwmi]).
- Intensifiers: Brazilian Portuguese may accept bem bom; in Portugal prefer muito/muito mesmo.
- Both varieties use Para mim, o filme é bom for an opinion.
Can I omit o filme if it’s clear from context?
Yes. Portuguese is pro-drop, and if the subject is obvious you can say: Para mim, é bom. Context must make the referent clear.
Is there a difference between um bom filme and um filme bom?
Both are correct. Um bom filme is the default, more idiomatic way to say “a good film.” Um filme bom is also possible and can sound a bit more contrastive/restrictive (“a film that is good,” perhaps among others that aren’t).