correto

Correto is a Portuguese adjective meaning correct, proper, or exact. It derives from Latin correctus, the past participle of corrigere, and shares a common root with cognates in several Romance languages. The term is used to describe accuracy, propriety, or conformity with rules and standards in various contexts.

In modern Portuguese, correto is used in formal and standard speech. It often contrasts with certo, which carries nuances of certainty, inevitability, or informal confidence. Correto tends to imply normative correctness or compliance with established rules or expectations. Examples include: o número está correto (the number is correct); as informações estão corretas (the information is correct); a decisão correta (the correct/appropriate decision). The feminine form is correta, while the masculine and feminine plural forms are corretos and corretas, respectively.

Usage notes: corretto is sometimes employed as a general stance on propriety or ethical behavior, as in o que é correto fazer (the right thing to do) or o jeito correto de proceder (the proper way to proceed). It functions as an adjective, but can appear in phrases where a noun is understood, functioning as a nominalized form in expressions like o correto.

Cross-linguistic context: corretto has cognates in other Romance languages, such as Italian corretto and Spanish correcto, which share the same Latin lineage and similar meanings, though usage varies by language, tone, and formality.

In sum, corret o signals alignment with accuracy and normative standards in Portuguese, with formal, precise, and rule-based connotations.