seja como for

Be That as It May

Level 5

Seja como for is a fixed idiomatic expression used to move past doubts or complications. It translates to 'be that as it may,' 'regardless,' or 'anyway.'

How It Works

The expression seja como for is a powerful tool for maintaining the flow of a conversation when details become messy or controversial.

1. Meaning and Usage:
It acts as a concessive marker. You use it when you want to acknowledge what was said (even if it's complicated or negative) but indicate that it doesn't change the final outcome or your opinion. It is more emphatic than the neutral de qualquer forma.

2. Grammatical Structure:
It is composed of:

Although it uses complex moods, it is a frozen unit. You do not conjugate it to match a subject; it stays exactly as it is.

3. Placement:
It is syntactically flexible. You can place it at the start of a sentence to set the tone, in the middle as a parenthetical comment (usually between commas), or at the end as an afterthought.

4. Register:
While the subjunctive often feels formal to learners, this specific phrase is a staple of everyday spoken Portuguese in both Brazil and Portugal, as well as in formal writing.

Examples (5)

  1. A decisão foi controversa, mas seja como for, agora é definitiva.

    The decision was controversial, but be that as it may, it is now final.

    Word by Word: The decision was controversial, but be how it be-future, now it is definitive.

    Here, the speaker acknowledges the controversy but uses the phrase to pivot to the finality of the situation.

  2. Não sei se ele virá à festa. Seja como for, nós vamos nos divertir.

    I don't know if he's coming to the party. In any case, we are going to have fun.

    Word by Word: Not I-know if he will-come to-the party. Be how it be-future, we go ourselves to-have-fun.

    The phrase dismisses the uncertainty of the guest's arrival to focus on the certainty of having fun.

  3. Eles têm opiniões diferentes; seja como for, eles se respeitam.

    They have different opinions; regardless, they respect each other.

    Word by Word: They have opinions different; be how it be-future, they themselves respect.

    This shows how the phrase can be used to highlight a core fact that overrides a potential conflict.

  4. Seja como for, não podemos desistir agora.

    Regardless of what happens, we cannot give up now.

    Word by Word: Be how it be-future, not we-can give-up now.

    Used at the beginning of a sentence to show determination despite any previous discussion of difficulties.

  5. Seja lá como for, eu vou descobrir a verdade.

    However on earth it may be, I am going to find out the truth.

    Word by Word: Be there how it be-future, I go to-discover the truth.

    The addition of 'lá' adds extra emphasis or a sense of insistence to the expression.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.

    É como for, o trabalho está pronto.
    Seja como for, o trabalho está pronto.

    Learners often try to use 'é' (indicative) because they are stating a fact, but this is a fixed idiom that requires the subjunctive 'seja'.

  • Confusing 'seja como for' with 'seja o que for'.

    Seja como for que ele queira, eu compro.
    Seja o que for que ele queira, eu compro.

    'Seja como for' refers to the manner or circumstances (how), while 'seja o que for' refers to a specific thing or event (what).

  • Failing to shift both verbs when referring to the past.

    Fosse como for, ele não aceitou a proposta.
    Fosse como fosse, ele não aceitou a proposta.

    When discussing a past context, both verbs must shift to the imperfect subjunctive ('fosse') to maintain grammatical harmony.

Words in This Pattern

seja como for