be fluent

[/bi ˈfluːənt/]
verb phrase
ser fluente
1. to speak a language smoothly, easily, and with confidence without hesitation or frequent pauses
She is fluent in three languages: English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
Ela é fluente em três idiomas: inglês, espanhol e mandarim.
2. to express oneself naturally and effortlessly in speech or writing
After living in Brazil for five years, he became fluent in Portuguese.
Depois de viver no Brasil por cinco anos, ele se tornou fluente em português.
3. to have achieved a high level of proficiency and accuracy in using a language
To be fluent means you can communicate without constantly translating in your head.
Ser fluente significa que você pode se comunicar sem estar constantemente traduzindo em sua mente.
In Brazil, being fluent in English is highly valued for professional advancement and is often a requirement for higher-paying jobs. Language fluency is frequently discussed in educational and business contexts. In the USA, bilingual fluency is increasingly important in diverse metropolitan areas like New York City.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
be proficientspeak fluentlymaster a languagehave command ofbe skilled in
Antonyms / Antônimos
struggle withhave difficulty withbe beginner instumble throughbe incompetent in

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser fluente
most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
ser fluente / falar corrido
'falar corrido' is colloquial alternative meaning to speak smoothly without stops
São Paulo
ser fluente
standard usage, often in business and education contexts
Portugal
ser fluente / dominar
'dominar' (to master) is also commonly used as alternative

Related Words

fluencyfluentlybilingualmultilingualnative speakerproficiency level

Related Idioms & Phrases

speak like a native
have the gift of gab
talk a mile a minute
know something backwards and forwards
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