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Verbs like 'make', 'let', and 'have': 'fazer', 'deixar', and 'mandar'

When you want to say that you make someone do something, let them do it, or have a task done for you, you use verbs that express these actions. In Portuguese, the three main players in this category are fazer, deixar, and mandar.

English speakers often trip over these verbs because the sentence structure does not always map word-for-word. English has a mix of rules, using verbs with "to" (allow him to go), verbs without "to" (let him go), or participles (have it done). Portuguese simplifies this by linking these verbs directly to an infinitive, but introduces its own quirks regarding pronouns and word order.

Word list
deixarA2 to let deixar alguém fazer algo = to let someone do something deixar cairB1 to drop deixar cair = to let fall fazerB1 to make fazer alguém fazer algo = to make someone do something fazer lembrarB1 to remind fazer lembrar = to make remember mandarB2 to command mandar reparar = to have repaired deixar irC1 to let go deixar ir = to let go
Making and letting

To build a sentence like this, you simply follow the conjugated first verb directly with an infinitive. The verb fazer means to make or to cause, while deixar means to let or to allow.

A piada fez o público rir muito.
(The joke made the audience laugh a lot.)
Eu deixei as crianças brincar no jardim.
(I let the children play in the garden.)

Because these verbs bond so tightly to the infinitive, they form the basis of several fixed expressions in Portuguese that translate to single verbs in English. For example, deixar cair literally means "to let fall", but it is the standard way to say "to drop".

Ele deixou cair o copo de água.
(He dropped the glass of water.)
Essa música faz-me lembrar a minha infância.
(That song reminds me of my childhood.)
Por favor, deixa-me ir.
(Please, let me go.)
Mandar and having things done

The verb mandar means to order or command someone to do something. You can use it just like fazer and deixar with a specific person in mind.

O professor mandou os alunos ler o texto.
(The teacher ordered the students to read the text.)

However, mandar is also incredibly useful for a structure that usually confuses English speakers: having something done by a professional. When you say "I had the car repaired" in English, you do not mean you repaired it yourself. In Portuguese, you express this by saying you ordered the action to be done, leaving the mechanic out of the sentence entirely.

Eu mandei reparar o carro ontem.
(I had the car repaired yesterday.)
Ela vai mandar cortar o cabelo amanhã.
(She is going to have her hair cut tomorrow.)
Pronouns and the que alternative

When the person being made or allowed to do something is replaced by a pronoun, the pronoun is associated with the first verb, not the infinitive. Depending on the dialect of Portuguese you are learning, the pronoun will either tuck in before or attach directly to the first verb.

A professora não os deixou sair mais cedo.
(The teacher did not let them leave early.)

You may also come across an alternative structure where these verbs are followed by the word que and a brand-new clause. When this happens, the second verb cannot be an infinitive. Instead, it must be conjugated in the subjunctive mood. For example, Deixei que as crianças brincassem is perfectly valid, but the infinitive construction covered in this article is often preferred for its directness and simplicity.

Summary

When expressing that you make, let, or order someone to do something, use fazer, deixar, or mandar followed immediately by an infinitive. Remember that mandar plus an infinitive is also your go-to formula for "having something done" by a third party.