Facts and Perspectives

Tudo o que ouvimos é uma opinião, não um facto. Tudo o que vemos é uma perspetiva, não a verdade.

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.

Words in this story

Ouvimos (we hear)

This is the present simple conjugation of the verb “ouvir” for the first person plural (nós). “Ouvir” can mean “to hear” or “to listen.” A synonym of “ouvir” is “escutar” which expresses attentive listening.

Facto (fact)

There are some Portuguese idioms with the word “facto.” For example:

• De facto (as a matter of fact)
• “Chegar a vias de facto” (to reach physical confrontation). A literal translation makes no sense, but “chegar” means “to arrive/to reach” and “vias” means “routes/ways”
• Facto consumado (something irreversible, completed before those affected by it are in a position to prevent it)