ter fibra

You use it just like the verb 'to have'. You can say ele tem fibra or ela tem muita fibra. You can use it to describe a friend or a public figure. It works well when someone overcomes a big challenge. It is a great way to show respect. You are noticing their hard work and grit. It feels more personal than just saying someone is 'strong'.

Use it when a friend starts a new business. Use it when someone recovers from a setback. It is perfect for sports contexts too. If a player never gives up, they have fibra. You can use it in a job interview to describe yourself. It shows you are a hard worker. It is also common in emotional moments. It honors someone's endurance through grief or struggle.

Don't use it for physical strength. If someone lifts a heavy box, don't say they have fibra. Use força for that. Avoid it in very shallow situations. You wouldn't say someone has fibra just for choosing a pizza topping. It is a 'heavy' compliment. Using it for small things makes it lose its power. Also, don't use it to describe someone who is just stubborn. Fibra implies a positive, noble kind of persistence.

In Portugal and Brazil, people value the 'warrior' spirit. Life can be tough, so resilience is a top trait. The word fibra relates to the textile industry and biology. Strong fibers make the best cloth and the strongest muscles. Over time, it became a metaphor for the soul. It suggests that your very 'material' is high quality. It’s a very traditional, grounded way to admire someone.

You will often hear fibra moral. This specifically means someone has high integrity. Another common one is muita fibra. Adding muita (a lot) is very common to add emphasis. In Brazil, you might also hear sangue nos olhos. That is more aggressive, like 'hunger for victory'. Ter fibra is more about the steady, quiet strength that lasts forever.