ser brutal; ser brutalmente honesto
1. To act in a savage, violent, or cruel manner; to treat someone or something harshly without mercy
The regime was brutal in its suppression of dissent.
O regime foi brutal na supressão da dissidência.
2. To be honest in a very direct and harsh way, often without consideration for feelings
Let me be brutal with you—your performance has been unacceptable.
Deixa eu ser brutal com você—seu desempenho tem sido inaceitável.
3. To be extremely severe or difficult to endure
The winters in Canada can be brutal.
Os invernos no Canadá podem ser brutais.
In American English, 'be brutal' is frequently used in casual speech to mean 'be brutally honest' without necessarily implying violence. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'ser brutal' carries similar usage in modern informal language, especially among younger speakers. The phrase reflects a cultural value in both countries of direct communication, though tone and context determine whether it's appreciated or considered rude.
NYC Slang
Keep it 100; be real; don't sugarcoat it
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