Learn Portuguese (Portugal): O anfitrião vai-se embora discretamente.

The verb ir by itself just means 'to go' (usually to a specific destination). To say 'to go away' or 'to leave', Portuguese uses the special verb combination ir-se embora. The -se is a pronoun that matches the subject, and embora adds the meaning of 'away'.

Why is the pronoun attached to the end of the verb (vai-se) instead of coming before it?

In European Portuguese, pronouns normally attach to the end of the verb with a hyphen in simple affirmative sentences. There are no 'magnet words' here (like negative words, question words, or conjunctions) that would pull the se to the front of the verb.

How would this sentence change if the host were a woman?

The feminine form of anfitrião is anfitriã. The rest of the sentence would stay exactly the same: A anfitriã vai-se embora discretamente.

The translation says 'is going away', but isn't vai the simple present tense?

Yes! In Portuguese, the simple present tense is frequently used to describe actions happening right now. You don't always need to use the continuous form (such as está a ir) to mean 'is doing' something, especially with verbs of movement like ir.

How is the adverb discretamente formed?