fazer questão
to insist
Literalmente: to make question
Use it when you want to show that a gesture is sincere and not just polite.
En 15 segundos
- Used to express that something is personally important to you.
- Often translated as 'to insist' or 'to make a point of'.
- Commonly used when offering help or showing hospitality.
Significado
It means you really want something to happen because it's important to you or your principles. It's like saying 'I insist' or 'I make a point of it' with a touch of personal pride.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 7Paying for a friend's coffee
Eu faço questão de pagar o café hoje.
I insist on paying for the coffee today.
Inviting someone to a wedding
Fazemos questão da sua presença no nosso casamento.
We really make a point of having you at our wedding.
A boss talking about quality
A empresa faz questão de manter a qualidade.
The company insists on maintaining quality.
Contexto cultural
This phrase reflects the high value placed on 'personalismo' in Lusophone cultures. It highlights the importance of individual will and the desire to show genuine care rather than just following social scripts. It is often the 'magic phrase' that ends a polite argument over who pays the coffee bill.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember to use 'de' before the action. Say 'Faço questão DE ir' not 'Faço questão ir'.
The Polite Fight
In Brazil, if two people want to pay the bill, the one who says 'Eu faço questão' first usually wins the 'polite argument'.
En 15 segundos
- Used to express that something is personally important to you.
- Often translated as 'to insist' or 'to make a point of'.
- Commonly used when offering help or showing hospitality.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a dinner. You want to pay the bill. You don't just want to pay; you feel you MUST pay. That is fazer questão. It is more than a simple desire. It is about your personal standards or values. You are saying, "This matters to me."
How To Use It
You usually follow it with the word de. For example: Faço questão de pagar. If a verb follows, keep it in the infinitive. If you are talking about a thing, use disso. It is a very flexible phrase. You can use it for small favors or big life decisions. It works for both positive and negative situations.
When To Use It
Use it when someone tries to be polite. If a friend says, "Don't worry about driving me," you say Faço questão. It shows you are sincere and not just being polite. Use it in business to show high standards. "I make a point of checking every detail." It sounds professional and reliable. It is perfect for invitations too. "I insist you come to my party!"
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things you don't care about. If you are indifferent, avoid it. It carries weight and emotional energy. Also, be careful with the tone. If you say it too aggressively, you might sound stubborn. It is about your values, not about winning an argument. Don't use it for physical actions like 'insisting' on a door that is stuck.
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people value hospitality and personal connections. Fazer questão is the linguistic heart of this. It shows you aren't just going through the motions. It proves you actually care. It is deeply tied to the concept of being a "good host" or a "loyal friend." It turns a polite gesture into a meaningful one.
Common Variations
You might hear não faço questão. This doesn't mean you're angry. It just means "I don't mind" or "It's not a big deal to me." It is the ultimate chill response. Another one is ele faz questão de tudo. This describes someone who is very particular or perhaps a bit high-maintenance. Use that one carefully!
Notas de uso
The phrase is incredibly common in daily life. While it translates to 'insist', it carries a connotation of 'it would make me happy/satisfied to do this'.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember to use 'de' before the action. Say 'Faço questão DE ir' not 'Faço questão ir'.
The Polite Fight
In Brazil, if two people want to pay the bill, the one who says 'Eu faço questão' first usually wins the 'polite argument'.
Don't sound stubborn
Use a warm tone. If you say it too sharply, it can sound like you are being difficult rather than being kind.
Ejemplos
7Eu faço questão de pagar o café hoje.
I insist on paying for the coffee today.
A very common social gesture to show generosity.
Fazemos questão da sua presença no nosso casamento.
We really make a point of having you at our wedding.
Shows that the guest's presence is truly valued.
A empresa faz questão de manter a qualidade.
The company insists on maintaining quality.
Used here to show professional standards.
Pode deixar, eu faço questão de te buscar!
Don't worry, I insist on picking you up!
Casual and helpful tone between friends.
Pode escolher o filme, eu não faço questão.
You can choose the movie, I don't mind.
The negative version shows flexibility/indifference.
Eu faço questão de um pedido de desculpas.
I insist on an apology.
Used to stand one's ground in a conflict.
Coma mais um pouco, a vovó faz questão!
Eat a bit more, grandma insists!
Classic cultural scenario involving food and hospitality.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence to show you really want to help your friend move.
Eu ___ questão de te ajudar com a mudança.
The verb 'fazer' is always used with 'questão' in this collocation.
How do you say you 'don't mind' which restaurant to go to?
Para mim tanto faz, eu não ___ questão.
'Não fazer questão' means you are flexible or indifferent about the choice.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Fazer Questão'
Texting friends or family
Não faço questão de sair hoje.
Daily social interactions
Faço questão de pagar.
Business or ceremonies
Fazemos questão de sua participação.
When to use 'Fazer Questão'
Hospitality
Insisting a guest stays for dinner
Generosity
Paying the bill for a friend
Principles
Demanding fair treatment
Indifference
Letting someone else choose
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo! That is a common trap. To ask a question is fazer uma pergunta. Fazer questão is purely about insisting.
Yes. Não faço questão means you don't mind or don't care about the outcome. For example: Não faço questão de ir ao cinema (I don't really mind if we go to the movies or not).
It is very neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your best friend. The context changes the vibe, but the phrase stays the same.
Use de or da/do. For example: Faço questão da sua ajuda (I insist on your help).
They are similar, but fazer questão feels more personal and emotional. Insistir is more about the action of repeating a request.
Yes, but you must use the subjunctive mood after it. For example: Faço questão que você esteja lá (I insist that you be there).
You can say Ele faz questão de tudo. It implies they are very demanding about every little detail.
The meaning is identical in both countries. It is a universal Portuguese expression.
Usually no. It is typically for things you want to do or things you believe are right. You wouldn't say you 'insist' on doing chores unless you have a very specific way of doing them.
Absolutely. It shows commitment. Fazemos questão de entregar no prazo (We make a point of delivering on time).
Frases relacionadas
bater o pé (to stand one's ground)
fazer questão absoluta (to insist absolutely)
não ligar (to not care/mind)
fazer questão de honra (to make it a matter of honor)
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