Portuguese flag

Set phrases with 'fazer'

The Portuguese verb fazer translates to "do" or "make". However, Portuguese uses it to build a wide variety of set phrases where English relies on completely different verbs. If you translate your thoughts word-for-word from English, you might catch yourself searching for a dedicated verb when Portuguese simply uses fazer paired with a noun.

For example, instead of using a specific verb for "to shave", Portuguese literally says "to do the beard". By learning these common combinations, your Portuguese will sound much more natural and you will avoid reaching for literal, incorrect translations.

Word list
fazer uma perguntaA1 to ask fazer uma pergunta = to ask a question fazer a barbaA2 to shave fazer a barba = to shave fazer downloadA2 to download fazer download = to download fazer aquecimentoB1 to warm up fazer aquecimento = to warm up fazer exercícioB1 to work out fazer exercício = to exercise fazer loginB1 to log in fazer login = to log in fazer logoutB1 to log out fazer logout = to log out fazer o check-inB1 to check in fazer o check-in no hotel = to check in at the hotel fazer propagandaB1 to advertise fazer propaganda de um produto = to advertise a product fazer publicidadeB1 to advertise fazer publicidade a uma marca = to advertise a brand fazer que não com a cabeçaB1 to shake one's head fazer que não com a cabeça = to shake one's head fazer trilhaB1 to hike fazer trilha = to hike fazer turismoB1 to go sightseeing fazer turismo = to go sightseeing fazer um passeioB1 to take a walk fazer um passeio = to go for a walk fazer uma caminhadaB1 to take a walk fazer uma caminhada = to take a walk fazer alongamentoB2 to stretch fazer alongamento = to stretch fazer anotaçõesB2 to take notes fazer anotações = to take notes fazer batotaB2 to cheat fazer batota = to cheat fazer bichaB2 to queue fazer bicha = to queue fazer de contaB2 to pretend fazer de conta = to pretend fazer filaB2 to queue fazer fila = to queue up fazer fronteiraB2 to border fazer fronteira com a Itália = to border Italy fazer malabarismoB2 to juggle fazer malabarismo com bolas = to juggle balls fazer uma sestaB2 to take a nap fazer uma sesta = to take a nap fazer uploadB2 to upload fazer upload de um arquivo = to upload a file fazer campanhaC1 to campaign fazer campanha por uma causa = to campaign for a cause fazer cócegasC1 to tickle fazer cócegas = to tickle fazer frente aC1 to stand up to fazer frente a alguém = to stand up to someone fazer rodeiosC1 to beat around the bush fazer rodeios = to beat around the bush fazer guerraC2 to wage war fazer guerra = to wage war
Everyday routines

Many daily routines and interactions are built with fazer. In English, you "ask" a question or "take" notes. In Portuguese, you "make" a question (fazer uma pergunta) and "make" notes (fazer anotações). The same applies to taking a walk or shaving.

Ele vai fazer a barba antes do jantar.
(He is going to shave before dinner.)
Posso fazer uma pergunta sobre o teste?
(May I ask a question about the test?)
Nós vamos fazer uma caminhada no parque.
(We are going to take a walk in the park.)
Você precisa fazer anotações durante a aula.
(You need to take notes during class.)
Tech terms and modern habits

When Portuguese adopts technology terms from English, it often treats them as nouns and pairs them with fazer rather than creating a brand-new verb. To log in becomes fazer login, and to download becomes fazer download. A similar noun-based logic applies to waiting in line, which is expressed as fazer fila.

Não consigo fazer login na minha conta.
(I cannot log in to my account.)
Eu preciso fazer download do documento.
(I need to download the document.)
Tivemos de fazer fila para entrar no museu.
(We had to queue to enter the museum.)
Fun and games

You will also see this pattern in more playful contexts. To pretend is fazer de conta (literally, to make of account). To tickle is fazer cócegas, and to cheat in a game is fazer batota.

As crianças gostam de fazer de conta que são piratas.
(The children like to pretend they are pirates.)
Não lhe tentes fazer cócegas agora.
(Do not try to tickle him right now.)
Ele não gosta de jogar cartas porque você costuma fazer batota.
(He doesn't like playing cards because you usually cheat.)
Summary

Whenever you want to describe an action that produces a clear result, a routine, or an adopted English tech action, pause before looking up a dedicated Portuguese verb. There is a very good chance the language simply pairs fazer with the noun for that action.