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Phrase · 🌸 Tactful criticism

Não é que esteja ruim, mas poderia estar melhor.

It's not that it's bad, but it could be better.

B2softening criticismAudio · coming soon
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Why every word is where it is

Nãoadverbnot, noéverbisser · present · 3rd sing.que1conjunctionthatesteja1verbbe (subjunctive)estar · subjunctive · present · 3rd sing.ruimadjectivebadsing.,masconjunctionbutpoderiaverbcouldpoder · conditional · 3rd sing.estarverbto beinfinitivemelhoradjectivebettersing..
  • que → esteja: + subjunctive

Why it's built this way

The notes match the numbers above.

  1. 1
    Não é que + subjunctive, exactly as in Spanish. Subjunctive after doubt, denial & impersonal expressions →