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be harsh

[bi hɑːrʃ]
verb phrase
ser duro, ser áspero, ser severo
1. to act or speak in a severe, rough, or unkind manner
Don't be harsh with the children; they're just learning.
Não seja duro com as crianças; elas apenas estão aprendendo.
2. to be unpleasantly rough or severe in effect
The criticism was harsh and hurtful.
A crítica foi severa e ofensiva.
3. to be rigorous or strict in judgment
You're being too harsh in your evaluation.
Você está sendo muito severo em sua avaliação.
NYC Slang
be rough on someone, be hard on someone
Synonyms
be severebe unkindbe roughbe cruelbe stern
Antonyms
be gentlebe kindbe mildbe softbe lenient

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser duro, ser áspero
most commonly used in both formal and informal contexts
Rio de Janeiro
ser meio bravo, ser severo
informal usage with slightly colloquial tone
São Paulo
ser duro, ser rigoroso
more formal register in business and professional contexts
Portugal
ser duro, ser áspero, ser severo
similar usage to Brazilian Portuguese with slight pronunciation differences

Related Idioms & Phrases

be harsh on someone's ears (sound unpleasant)
be harsh with words
be harsh in judgment
harsh on the eyes (visually unpleasant)
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