Phrase · 🌸 Euphemism and tact
Mi cuñada está en estado de buena esperanza.
My sister-in-law is expecting.
C2euphemism: pregnancyformalAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Mideterminermy1st sing.cuñadanounsister-in-lawcuñado · fem. · sing.está2verbisestar · present · 3rd sing.en1prepositioninestado1nounstatemasc. · sing.de1prepositionofbuena1adjectivegoodbueno · fem. · sing.esperanza1nounhopefem. · sing..
- está → esperanza: estar en estado de buena esperanza
- buena → esperanza: buena agrees with esperanza
- Mi → cuñada: mi cuñada
Word for word: “My sister-in-law is in a state of good hope.”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1estar en estado de buena esperanza (or just en estado) = to be expecting: an old-fashioned, delicate euphemism for pregnant. Formal register: impersonalisation, nominalisation and correspondence →
- 2estar for a condition. The everyday word is embarazada, which never means "embarrassed" (= avergonzada). Ser vs estar I: characteristics and states →
Variations
- Mi cuñada está embarazada.
- Mi cuñada está esperando un bebé.
- Mi cuñada está en estado.