Breakdown of Reconhecer a própria fraqueza é sinal de força emocional.
Questions & Answers about Reconhecer a própria fraqueza é sinal de força emocional.
In Portuguese, the infinitive can be used as a noun, just like “Recognizing” or “To recognize” can function as a noun in English.
- Reconhecer a própria fraqueza = Recognizing one’s own weakness
- The infinitive Reconhecer is acting as the subject of the verb é.
- A more literal structure in English would be: “To recognize one’s own weakness is a sign of emotional strength.”
So Reconhecer here is not telling you who recognizes; it’s talking about the general act of recognizing.
Here a is the definite article (feminine singular), equivalent to “the” in English.
- fraqueza = weakness (feminine noun)
- a fraqueza = the weakness
- a própria fraqueza = one’s own weakness / the very weakness
It is not the preposition a (“to, at”) in this sentence; it’s the article agreeing in gender and number with fraqueza.
própria means “own” (as in “one’s own”) and emphasizes that the weakness belongs to the subject.
- Reconhecer a fraqueza – “Recognizing the weakness” (more general, could be someone else’s)
- Reconhecer a própria fraqueza – “Recognizing one’s own weakness”
So própria adds the idea of self-directed: not just any weakness, but your own.
In general statements about people in Portuguese, it’s common to use a própria + noun instead of minha / tua / sua, etc. It feels more impersonal and universal, like saying:
- Reconhecer a própria fraqueza = Recognizing one’s own weakness (applies to anyone)
If you said:
- Reconhecer a minha fraqueza = Recognizing my weakness
you would be talking specifically about your own personal weakness, not making a general statement about people.
Both are grammatically correct; the difference is nuance:
é sinal de força emocional
- More generic and proverb-like.
- Feels like a general truth or saying.
é um sinal de força emocional
- Slightly more specific: “is a sign of emotional strength (among others).”
In maxims or aphorisms, Portuguese often drops the article before sinal, prova, demonstração, etc., to sound more universal.
The de expresses a “of” relationship, just like in English:
- sinal de X = sign of X
- sinal de força emocional = sign of emotional strength
It’s the normal way to express this kind of relationship: sinal de, prova de, falta de, etc.
Yes, that is correct Portuguese and very natural:
- Reconhecer a própria fraqueza mostra força emocional.
- Literally: “Recognizing one’s own weakness shows emotional strength.”
Difference in nuance:
- é sinal de – more evaluative, like defining it as a sign of strength.
- mostra – more direct: the action shows / demonstrates emotional strength.
Both express a similar idea, but the original is more like a maxim.
Using the singular here is abstract and generic, similar to English:
- a própria fraqueza – “one’s own weakness” (as a general human weakness)
If you say as próprias fraquezas (“one’s own weaknesses”), it shifts slightly:
- It suggests multiple, specific weaknesses.
- It’s still correct, just a bit more concrete and detailed.
The singular sounds more proverbial and universal.
Yes, fraqueza is a feminine noun. That’s why:
- The article is a (feminine singular) → a fraqueza
- The adjective própria is also feminine singular → a própria fraqueza
If the noun were masculine, you’d have o próprio X instead, e.g.:
- o próprio erro – one’s own mistake
Contextually, in this kind of sentence, reconhecer is very close to “admit” or “acknowledge” about oneself:
- Reconhecer a própria fraqueza
- Not just noticing it, but accepting / admitting it to oneself.
So while the base meaning is “to recognize,” in this phrase it carries the idea of honestly acknowledging your own weakness.