appear happy
[/əˈpɪr ˈhæpi/]
verb phrase
parecer feliz
1. to seem or look happy; to give the impression of being in a state of joy or contentment
She tried to appear happy at the party even though she was sad.
Ela tentou parecer feliz na festa mesmo estando triste.
2. to have the outward appearance of happiness, whether genuine or not
He managed to appear happy despite his worries.
Ele conseguiu parecer feliz apesar de suas preocupações.
In both Brazilian and American cultures, the phrase reflects the social expectation to maintain composure and present a positive appearance in public settings, even when experiencing negative emotions. This is particularly notable in professional environments and social gatherings where emotional masking is considered polite or appropriate.
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