ele era um

he was a

→ ele
phrase Uncommon #18,894
he was a Used before a noun or description to talk about someone's identity or role in the past.
PO: Ele era um bom amigo.
EN: He was a good friend.

Ele era um dos assaltantes mais procurados do Rio de Janeiro.

He was one of the most wanted robbers in Rio de Janeiro.

— Cidade de Deus (2002)

Ele era um jornalista!

He was a journalist!

— Quase Famosos (2000)

Mas Mohan, ele era um bom rapaz.

But Mohan, he was a good guy.

— Swades: We, the People (2004)

Ele era um presidente engraçado.

He was a funny president.

Ele nunca trabalhou em Los Alamos, ele era um contato.

He never worked at Los Alamos; he was a contact.

— Oppenheimer (2023)

Ele era um músico pobre.

He was a poor musician.

Ele era um jovem herói.

He was a young hero.

— A Batalha dos 3 Reinos (2008)

Ele era um simples cozinheiro, sabe disso.

He was just a cook, you know that.

— Adeus, Lênin! (2003)

Ele era um intelectual da cidade que queria ser um fazendeiro.

He was an intellectual from the city who wanted to be a farmer.

— A Vingança de Manon (1986)

Ele era um prodígio.

He was a prodigy.

— Missão Refúgio (2026)

Você disse que ele era um vagabundo.

You said he was a bum.

— Os Visitantes (1993)

Ele era um partidário também, em vários lugares.

He was a partisan as well, in several places.

— A Infância de Ivan (1962)

Ele era um ídolo.

He was an idol.

Ele era um inútil, de qualquer forma.

He was useless anyway.

— Assunto de Família (2018)

Ele era um poeta persa admirável.

He was an admirable Persian poet.

Ele era um mágico.

He was a magician.

— Black (2005)