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be strong

[/biː strɔːŋ/]
verb phrase
ser forte
1. to possess or exhibit physical strength and power
He needs to be strong to lift those weights.
Ele precisa ser forte para levantar esses pesos.
2. to be mentally resilient, courageous, or emotionally stable
You need to be strong during difficult times.
Você precisa ser forte durante tempos difíceis.
3. to have a powerful effect or intensity
The coffee flavor needs to be strong enough to taste.
O sabor do café precisa ser forte o suficiente para provar.
NYC Slang
hold it down / stay tough
Synonyms
be powerfulbe resilientbe courageousbe sturdy
Antonyms
be weakbe frailbe timidbe fragile

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser forte
Most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
ser forte / ser corajoso
Both forms used interchangeably
São Paulo
ser forte
Standard usage
Portugal
ser forte
Standard European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

be strong-willed
be a rock
stay strong
keep your chin up
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