Not every "make" is "fazer" in Portuguese! 5 expressions with different verbs.
Good news: the fix is simple. Many of these expressions use a completely different verb in Portuguese, and once you learn them as a pair (verb + noun), they can stick. Here are five you will use all the time:
1. To make a decision: tomar uma decisão
In Portuguese, you "take" a decision, just like you take a photo or a coffee. Funny, isn't it?
Preciso tomar uma decisão até sexta! (I need to make a decision by Friday).
Real example for your practice!
2. To make a mistake: cometer um erro or simply errar
Cometer is the verb for committing a mistake.
Todo mundo comete erros. (Everyone makes mistakes).
Não tenha medo de errar. (Don't be afraid to make mistakes).
Real example for your practice!
3. To make money: ganhar dinheiro
Money is something you earn or win in Portuguese: ganhar covers both.
É muito bom ganhar dinheiro fazendo o que você ama. (It feels great to make money doing what you love).
Real example for your practice!
4. To make an appointment: marcar/agendar um horário
Apontamento is a false friend: it means a note, not an appointment. To book a time, you mark it: marcar. You can also marcar/agendar a meeting (reunião) or a date (encontro) with friends.
Vou marcar/agendar um horário com o médico. (I'll make an appointment with the doctor).
Real example for your practice!
5. To make fun of: zoar / tirar sarro de
Both are informal and very common among friends. Zoar is a single verb; tirar sarro de works like "to make fun of."
Meus amigos vivem me zoando. (My friends are always making fun of me).
Ela tirou sarro do meu cabelo. (She made fun of my hair).
How to make them stick
• Learn the pair, not the word. Memorize "tomar uma decisão" as one block instead of decisão alone. You can use flashcards with Anki or Notebook LM to help you memorize!
• Say it out loud today. Write one sentence about your own life with each expression: a decision you need to make, an appointment you need to book. You can journal, you can talk to yourself (personally, I used to speak to the mirror back in Brazil, it was funny (for sure), but it was also efficient!)
• Listen for them. Brazilian series, podcasts and songs use these all the time. Each time you notice one, it gets easier to say! Watch series on Netflix, videos on Youtube, Podcasts on Spotify and pay an attention to them. I have some recommendations, if you need. Just email me!
Speak real, natural Portuguese with TSB Brazil
Expressions like these are exactly what we practice at TSB Brazil: real Portuguese, the way Brazilians actually speak it, with a Brazilian teacher who knows you by name and keep track of what matters to you!
• Private Lessons: one-to-one, built around your goals and schedule (with OPI and Celpe-Bras preparation available if you need).
• Semi-Intensive Program: 26 weeks in a small group of up to 4 learners.
• TSB Community: a weekly live conversation in Portuguese, with a new cultural theme every month.
Not sure where to start? Email us at school@tsbbrazil.com and we'll help you find the right program.
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