How do you say "How have you been?" in Portuguese?

"How have you been?" in Portuguese is "Como têm estado?". This phrase is commonly used in Portugal.

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How to Say ‘How have you been?’ in Portuguese

Q: What does "Como têm estado?" mean in English?

"Como têm estado?" means "How have you been?" in English. Usage tip: In Portugal, [têm] is pronounced with a nasal sound, and unstressed vowels in [estado] get reduced, so it can sound closer to (tayng esh-TAH-do). This whole question asks about the recent past, more like "how have you been lately?" than just "how are you?"

Como têm estado?

koh-moo tem ehs-ta-doh

[koh-moo tem ehs-ta-doh]

💬 Usage Tip: In Portugal, [têm] is pronounced with a nasal sound, and unstressed vowels in [estado] get reduced, so it can sound closer to (tayng esh-TAH-do). This whole question asks about the recent past, more like "how have you been lately?" than just "how are you?"

Phrase Breakdown

Como

[koh-moo]

How

Used to inquire about one's condition or health.

Example

Como têm estado os seus pais?

How have your parents been?

Têm estado?

tem ehs-ta-doh

Words in this phrase

têm

[tem]

Have

Used to express possession or experiences over time.

Example

Vocês têm estado bem de saúde?

Have you been in good health?

estado

[ehs-ta-doh]

Been

Indicates the state or experience of someone over a period.

Example

Eles têm estado muito ocupados.

They have been very busy.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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