Breakdown of A acne é bem pior quando estás muito nervoso.
ser
to be
muito
much / very
estar
to be (temporary / location)
quando
when
nervoso
nervous
pior
worse / worst
bem
much (intensifier before comparatives)
a acne
the acne
Questions & Answers about A acne é bem pior quando estás muito nervoso.
Why does the sentence use bem pior instead of muito pior?
Both bem pior and muito pior mean 'much worse'. Using bem to intensify a comparative is very common in everyday Portuguese and gives a slightly more expressive, natural tone than the standard muito.
Could I use bem to intensify nervoso as well?
Yes! Just like muito, you can use bem to intensify standard adjectives. Saying bem nervoso instead of muito nervoso sounds perfectly natural.
Why is the present indicative estás used here after quando? Shouldn't it be the future subjunctive estiveres?
We only use the future subjunctive after quando for specific, unverified future events. Because this sentence states a general, ongoing fact (meaning 'whenever you are nervous'), it takes the present indicative estás.
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