fazer das tripas coração
To make a great effort
Literalmente: to make heart out of the guts
Use this to describe working incredibly hard against the odds when you are at your physical or emotional limit.
En 15 segundos
- To find strength when you are completely exhausted or broke.
- Transforming your basic guts into a courageous heart.
- Used to describe overcoming significant obstacles through sheer willpower.
Significado
This phrase describes the act of pushing through extreme exhaustion or limited resources to achieve something. It is about finding inner strength when you feel like you have nothing left to give.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Describing a difficult month financially
Tivemos que fazer das tripas coração para pagar a renda este mês.
We had to do our utmost to pay the rent this month.
Talking about finishing a marathon
No último quilómetro, fiz das tripas coração para chegar ao fim.
In the last kilometer, I dug deep to reach the finish line.
Professional context regarding a tight deadline
A equipa fez das tripas coração para entregar o projeto a tempo.
The team worked themselves to the bone to deliver the project on time.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects the historical Portuguese spirit of 'superação' (overcoming). It suggests that even when the body is failing (the guts), the spirit (the heart) can prevail. It is often associated with the working class and the struggle to provide for family against all odds.
Conjugate it freely
Don't be afraid to change the tense. You can say 'vou fazer' (I will do) or 'fizemos' (we did). The idiom is very flexible.
Don't be literal
If you are at a doctor's office talking about stomach issues, avoid this phrase. They might think you are talking about a real surgery!
En 15 segundos
- To find strength when you are completely exhausted or broke.
- Transforming your basic guts into a courageous heart.
- Used to describe overcoming significant obstacles through sheer willpower.
What It Means
Imagine you are completely drained. You have no money, no energy, and no time. Yet, you still find a way to finish that project or help a friend. You are literally taking your 'guts' (your basic survival parts) and turning them into a 'heart' (the engine of courage). It is about resilience. It is about doing the impossible when you are at your limit.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb phrase. You can conjugate fazer to fit any person or tense. If you worked three jobs to pay for college, you fez das tripas coração. It usually follows a description of a difficult situation. Use it to highlight the sacrifice involved. It sounds very brave and determined.
When To Use It
Use it when talking about personal struggles. It is great for job interviews when discussing past challenges. Use it with friends when venting about a busy week. It works perfectly in emotional speeches. Use it when you want to show you didn't give up. It adds a touch of drama and grit to your story.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for easy tasks. If you just walked to the mailbox, do not say it. It will sound sarcastic or lazy. Avoid it in very cold, technical reports. It is too visceral for a manual. Also, do not use it if someone else did the work for you. It is strictly for personal or collective grit.
Cultural Background
This expression is centuries old. It likely comes from old medical or philosophical ideas. The 'guts' were seen as the seat of basic emotions or physical needs. The 'heart' was the seat of courage and spirit. Turning one into the other is a spiritual alchemy. It is a deeply Portuguese way of looking at 'desenrascar' (finding a way) but with more soul.
Common Variations
You might hear people just say tive que fazer das tripas coração. Sometimes people add para conseguir at the end. In Brazil and Portugal, the meaning remains identical. It is a classic idiom that hasn't changed because the imagery is so powerful. It stays relevant because life is often tough!
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral-to-informal. It is highly evocative and emotional, so use it when you want to emphasize the human struggle behind an achievement.
Conjugate it freely
Don't be afraid to change the tense. You can say 'vou fazer' (I will do) or 'fizemos' (we did). The idiom is very flexible.
Don't be literal
If you are at a doctor's office talking about stomach issues, avoid this phrase. They might think you are talking about a real surgery!
The 'Portuguese Way'
This phrase is the cousin of 'desenrascar'. While 'desenrascar' is about being clever, 'fazer das tripas coração' is about being brave and suffering for a goal.
Ejemplos
6Tivemos que fazer das tripas coração para pagar a renda este mês.
We had to do our utmost to pay the rent this month.
Shows the struggle of managing limited resources.
No último quilómetro, fiz das tripas coração para chegar ao fim.
In the last kilometer, I dug deep to reach the finish line.
Focuses on physical endurance and willpower.
A equipa fez das tripas coração para entregar o projeto a tempo.
The team worked themselves to the bone to deliver the project on time.
Highlights collective effort in a work setting.
Estou exausta, mas vou fazer das tripas coração e ir ao teu jantar!
I'm exhausted, but I'll find the strength and go to your dinner!
A friendly way to show commitment despite tiredness.
Só tinha um ovo e massa, então fiz das tripas coração e criei um banquete.
I only had an egg and pasta, so I worked a miracle and created a banquet.
Uses the drama of the phrase for a minor situation.
Ela fez das tripas coração para criar os filhos sozinha.
She did everything humanly possible to raise her children alone.
Very high emotional weight, showing deep respect.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence to show you worked hard despite being tired.
Eu estava doente, mas ___ das tripas coração para estudar para o exame.
The verb 'fazer' (to make/do) is the only verb used in this specific idiom.
Choose the correct body part to complete the idiom.
Eles fizeram das tripas ___ para salvar a empresa.
The idiom specifically uses 'coração' (heart) as the destination of the transformation.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality and Register
Used with family and friends during venting sessions.
Fiz das tripas coração para chegar aqui!
Common in storytelling or describing life events.
Ele fez das tripas coração na juventude.
Used in literature or speeches to show resilience.
O povo fez das tripas coração.
When to use 'Fazer das Tripas Coração'
Financial Hardship
Paying bills with no money.
Physical Exhaustion
Finishing a race while tired.
Work Pressure
Meeting an impossible deadline.
Personal Sacrifice
Helping others while struggling yourself.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, it is widely used in both Portugal and Brazil with the exact same meaning and level of intensity.
Not really. It implies a 'gut-wrenching' effort. Using it for small things like fiz das tripas coração para acordar às 9h sounds very sarcastic.
No, it is generally positive. It praises someone's resilience and strength of character.
In ancient times, the intestines were thought to be where the 'lower' animal instincts lived, while the heart was for 'noble' courage.
Yes, if you are describing a major achievement that required a lot of overtime or overcoming obstacles.
No, the order matters. You are turning the 'bad' (weakness/guts) into 'good' (strength/heart).
Not really, but people often just say foi um esforço das tripas coração as a noun phrase.
It sounds like 'TREE-pash' in Portugal or 'TREE-pahs' in many parts of Brazil.
No, it is a standard idiom. It is safe to use with your boss or your grandmother.
Phrases like 'to dig deep', 'to work one's fingers to the bone', or 'to pull a rabbit out of a hat' (in terms of effort) are close.
Frases relacionadas
Dar o sangue
To give one's blood (to work extremely hard)
Suar a camisola
To sweat the jersey (to work hard for a team/goal)
Mãos à obra
Hands to the work (let's get started)
Dar o litro
To give the liter (to give 100% effort)
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