be familiar

[/bɪ fəˈmɪliər/]

verb phrase

ser familiar; estar familiarizado

1. to have knowledge of something or someone; to be acquainted with

I am familiar with this topic.

Sou familiarizado com este tópico.

2. to be well-known or recognizable

That face is familiar to me.

Esse rosto me é familiar.

3. to be informal or friendly in manner

His tone was too familiar for a first meeting.

Seu tom era demasiado familiar para um primeiro encontro.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

ser familiar; estar familiarizado

Common usage in both formal and informal contexts

Rio de Janeiro

ser familiar

Conversational style, may use 'conhecer bem'

São Paulo

estar familiarizado

Formal and business contexts prefer this form

Portugal

ser familiar; estar familiarizado

Both forms used; slight preference for 'ser familiar' in standard Portuguese

be on familiar terms with someone

be familiar ground

a familiar face

strike a familiar chord

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