acostumados

Acostumados is a Portuguese term formed as the masculine plural of acostumado, used as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it describes people or things that are accustomed, habituated, or used to a particular condition, activity, or environment. As a noun, os acostumados can refer to the habitués or regulars of a place, such as a bar, club, or neighborhood. The feminine forms are acostumada (singular) and acostumadas (plural).

Etymology and form: Acostumado comes from the verb acostumar-se, meaning to become accustomed. The root is related to costumbre or costume, deriving from Latin sources tied to habit or custom. Portuguese uses gendered forms and agrees in number with the noun it describes, e.g., ele está acostumado, ela está acostumada, eles estão acostumados, elas estão acostumadas.

Usage: The expression is typically used with ser or estar to indicate habitual state or adaptation. Examples include: “Ele está acostumado a viagens longas” (He is accustomed to long trips) and “Eles são acostumados ao frio” (They are used to the cold). As a noun, os acostumados can denote a group of regulars or habitual patrons in a given place, sometimes with a tone of familiarity or insider status.

Variants and related terms: A cognate in Spanish is acostumbrados, with the same general sense of being accustomed, though the Portuguese spelling differs. Related concepts include costumo, costume, hábito, and acostumação, which pertain to habits and acclimatization.

See also: Acostumar-se; Costume; Hábito; Consuetudinário.