Breakdown of O contorno está perfeito, se bem que ainda não seja permanente.
ser
to be
não
not / no
estar
to be (temporary / location)
ainda
still / yet / even (with comparatives)
perfeito
perfect
o contorno
the outline
se bem que
even though
permanente
permanent
Questions & Answers about O contorno está perfeito, se bem que ainda não seja permanente.
Why do we use seja instead of é after se bem que?
The phrase se bem que means although or even though and is known as a concessive conjunction. In Portuguese, these types of conjunctions always trigger the subjunctive mood. Because you are acknowledging a contrasting idea, you must use the present subjunctive seja instead of the present indicative é.
Can I replace se bem que with embora here?
Yes, you can. Both embora and se bem que are concessive conjunctions that mean the exact same thing, and both require the following verb to be in the subjunctive mood. Using embora ainda não seja permanente would be perfectly correct, though se bem que is very common in everyday spoken Portuguese.
Why does the first half use está while the second half uses a form of ser (seja)?
This highlights the classic difference between temporary states and inherent characteristics. We use está perfeito because the outline being perfect is viewed as a current, possibly temporary state, like a newly drawn sketch or makeup. However, being permanent is by definition an inherent, unchanging characteristic, so it requires the verb ser, which here takes the subjunctive form seja.
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