fazer boca
To talk trash
حرفيًا: To make mouth
Use it to describe someone talking smack or being unnecessarily critical in casual social situations.
في 15 ثانية
- To talk trash or criticize someone behind their back.
- Commonly used in casual gossip and social settings.
- Implies the criticism is petty, mean-spirited, or unnecessary.
المعنى
This phrase is used when someone is speaking ill of another person or complaining about something in a petty way. It is basically the Portuguese version of 'talking smack' or 'bad-mouthing' someone behind their back.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Gossiping with a friend
Não ligues ao que ele diz, ele só gosta de fazer boca.
Don't mind what he says, he just likes to talk trash.
At a family dinner
A tia Maria está sempre a fazer boca da vizinha.
Aunt Maria is always bad-mouthing the neighbor.
In a professional but relaxed office
O chefe fez boca do meu relatório à frente de todos.
The boss talked smack about my report in front of everyone.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase reflects the Mediterranean and Lusophone penchant for social commentary and neighborhood gossip. It is often associated with 'mexericos' (gossip) in small towns where everyone knows everyone's business. It highlights a cultural distinction between formal speech and the 'real' talk that happens over coffee.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember that 'fazer boca' needs 'de' to link to a person. It's never 'fazer boca para mim', it's 'fazer boca de mim'.
Don't overdo it
Calling someone out for 'fazer boca' can be seen as aggressive. Use it carefully if you want to keep the peace!
في 15 ثانية
- To talk trash or criticize someone behind their back.
- Commonly used in casual gossip and social settings.
- Implies the criticism is petty, mean-spirited, or unnecessary.
What It Means
Fazer boca describes the act of criticizing or speaking negatively about someone or something. It usually implies a bit of pettiness or unnecessary complaining. Think of it as 'running your mouth' in a way that isn't helpful. It is very common in Portugal and Brazil to describe gossip or trash-talking.
How To Use It
You use it like a regular verb phrase. You can say someone is a fazer boca (doing mouth) about a situation. It often takes the preposition de (of/about) to specify the target. For example, Ele está a fazer boca de ti means he is talking trash about you. It is a very flexible expression for social commentary.
When To Use It
Use it when you catch a friend complaining about a boss they actually like. Use it when you hear someone whispering about a neighbor's new car. It is perfect for casual settings like a café or a family dinner. It works well when you want to call someone out for being negative. It is the bread and butter of social observation.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in a high-stakes business meeting with your CEO. It is too informal for a legal deposition or a formal academic paper. Do not use it if someone is giving a valid, serious critique. If a doctor is explaining a surgery, they aren't a fazer boca. It implies the talk is a bit cheap or mean-spirited.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture values social harmony but also loves a good bit of gossip. Fazer boca captures that tension between being polite and needing to vent. It likely stems from the physical act of moving one's mouth excessively. In some regions, it is closely tied to the idea of 'má língua' (bad tongue). It is a staple of neighborhood life in Lisbon and Porto.
Common Variations
You might hear fazer má boca which adds the word 'bad' for extra emphasis. In Brazil, you might hear falar mal more often, but fazer boca remains a classic idiom. Sometimes people say abrir a boca (to open the mouth) to mean starting to talk nonsense. It is part of a whole family of 'mouth' related idioms in Portuguese.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is a B1 level idiom because it requires understanding the prepositional link 'de' and the nuanced difference between simple talking and 'trash-talking'. Use it in informal settings to sound like a local.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember that 'fazer boca' needs 'de' to link to a person. It's never 'fazer boca para mim', it's 'fazer boca de mim'.
Don't overdo it
Calling someone out for 'fazer boca' can be seen as aggressive. Use it carefully if you want to keep the peace!
The Silent Treatment
In Portugal, if someone says 'Não faças boca', they might also be telling you not to jinx something by talking about it too much.
أمثلة
6Não ligues ao que ele diz, ele só gosta de fazer boca.
Don't mind what he says, he just likes to talk trash.
Used here to dismiss someone's negative comments.
A tia Maria está sempre a fazer boca da vizinha.
Aunt Maria is always bad-mouthing the neighbor.
Describes a habitual gossiper in a family setting.
O chefe fez boca do meu relatório à frente de todos.
The boss talked smack about my report in front of everyone.
Shows a slightly more serious, hurtful context.
A Rita passou a noite toda a fazer boca da festa.
Rita spent the whole night complaining about the party.
Used to describe someone being a 'party pooper'.
Pára de fazer boca de mim e diz as coisas na cara!
Stop talking trash about me and say it to my face!
A direct confrontation using the idiom.
Eles só estão no programa para fazer boca uns dos outros.
They are only on the show to talk trash about each other.
Perfect for describing drama-filled media.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct preposition to follow the phrase.
Ele está sempre a fazer boca ___ mim.
In Portuguese, when you talk trash 'about' someone using this phrase, you use the preposition 'de'.
Complete the sentence to mean 'Stop talking trash'.
Pára de ___ boca!
The verb 'fazer' (to make/do) is the only one that completes this specific idiom.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality Level of 'Fazer Boca'
Very raw street talk
Mandar vir
Friends and family (The sweet spot)
Fazer boca
Standard conversation
Falar mal
Professional critique
Criticar
When to use 'Fazer Boca'
Office Gossip
Talking about the lazy colleague.
Family Drama
Complaining about your cousin's wedding.
Social Media
Commenting on a bad influencer post.
Sports
Trash-talking the opposing team.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt's not a swear word, but it is informal and accusatory. Saying Estás a fazer boca to someone is a direct way of telling them they are being petty.
Yes, it is understood, though Brazilians might prefer falar mal or fofocar. In Portugal, it is extremely common.
No, you can fazer boca of a restaurant, a movie, or even the weather. It just means you're complaining or being critical.
Fofocar is specifically to gossip (share secrets). Fazer boca is more about the act of criticizing or talking trash.
Only in very casual office environments. In a formal meeting, you would use criticar or apontar falhas.
Sometimes! In some contexts, fazer boca implies that by talking about something, you might cause a negative outcome.
Not directly, but you might hear boca-rota for someone who can't keep their mouth shut.
You would say Ele está a fazer boca de mim. Note the use of de.
It's used by all ages! Grandparents use it to talk about neighbors, and teens use it to talk about school drama.
No, absolutely not. Don't confuse it with other 'mouth' expressions; this one is strictly about talking.
عبارات ذات صلة
Falar mal
To speak ill of someone
Língua de trapo
A gossip / someone who talks too much
Mandar bocas
To make snide remarks or catcall
Dar à língua
To chatter or gossip excessively
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