"Curtir bué" is a popular expression in European Portuguese that is used to express that something is really enjoyable or that someone really likes something. The expression is a combination of "curtir", which means "to like", and "bué", an intensifier that is formed by the contraction of "bastante" and "muito" which means "a lot" or "very". Curtir is a regular -IR verb and conjugates accordingly as you see in the video below. (Subscribe to Low-key Portuguese's YouTube Channel for ongoing resources and mini-lessons on subjects like this one)
This expression "bué" is derivative of the Quimbundo (Angola) word mbuwe, signifying "a lot" or "plenty" and is commonly used in casual conversations among friends and family, and it can be used to describe a variety of things, such as food, music, activities, etc. For example, you can say "Eu estou a curtir bué este concerto" (I'm really enjoying this concert) or "Este prato é bué bom" (This dish is really good).
It's also used to express that something is very good or very bad, for example "Este filme é bué mau" (This movie is really bad) or "Este livro é bué bom" (This book is really good)
It's important to note that this expression is considered informal, and it's not appropriate to use in formal situations. It's a playful way of expressing your feelings and it's widely used among young people.
Another way this expression is used is to express that someone is doing something with a lot of enthusiasm or really enjoying something. "Ele está curtir bué a festa" (He's really enjoying the party), "Ela está curtir bué a vida" (She is really enjoying life).
In conclusion, "curtir bué" is a versatile and popular expression in European Portuguese, a clear derivative of Portugal's colonial past in Africa and ongoing relationship with its Lusophone partner, Angola. It is used to express that something is very enjoyable or that someone really likes something. It is an informal expression and should be used with care in formal situations. Next time you're in Portugal, try using this expression in your conversations with locals and you'll sound like you've been around.