não fazer compras
to go shopping
Littéralement: not to do/make purchases
Use this phrase to decline shopping trips or state you don't need to buy supplies right now.
En 15 secondes
- Used to say you aren't going to buy things.
- Place 'não' before the verb 'fazer'.
- Applies to both groceries and luxury items.
Signification
This phrase literally means 'not to do shopping.' It is the standard way to say you aren't going to the store to buy groceries or clothes.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Declining a friend's mall invite
Hoje eu não vou fazer compras, estou sem dinheiro.
I'm not going shopping today, I'm out of money.
Checking in with a spouse
Nós não precisamos fazer compras esta semana.
We don't need to do the shopping this week.
In a professional budget meeting
A empresa decidiu não fazer compras de novos equipamentos.
The company decided not to purchase new equipment.
Contexte culturel
Shopping malls (called 'Shoppings') are major social hubs in Brazil and Portugal, often serving as safe, air-conditioned meeting spots. Choosing 'not to shop' is often a conscious financial decision discussed openly among friends. Historically, 'fazer compras' referred to the open-air markets before the rise of modern supermarkets.
The 'Going' Shortcut
In spoken Portuguese, people often say 'Não vou fazer compras' instead of just 'Não faço compras' to talk about immediate plans.
Shopping vs. Store
Remember that in Portuguese, 'Shopping' is the noun for the building (the mall). Don't say 'Eu vou shopping'; say 'Eu vou ao shopping'.
En 15 secondes
- Used to say you aren't going to buy things.
- Place 'não' before the verb 'fazer'.
- Applies to both groceries and luxury items.
What It Means
Não fazer compras is the negative form of the common verb phrase fazer compras. In Portuguese, you don't 'go' shopping as much as you 'do' shopping. When you add não at the start, you are simply stating that a shopping trip isn't happening. It covers everything from the weekly grocery run to a fun afternoon at the mall.
How To Use It
You place the não directly before the verb fazer. You will need to conjugate fazer based on who isn't shopping and when. For example, eu não faço compras means 'I don't shop.' If you are talking about a specific plan, you might say não vou fazer compras (I'm not going to shop). It is a very flexible and straightforward construction.
When To Use It
Use this when your fridge is full and you don't need the supermarket. It is perfect for turning down an invitation to the mall. You can use it when explaining your budget to a friend. It works well in professional contexts if discussing company procurement too. It is your go-to phrase for any 'anti-retail' situation.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you are just buying one single item, like a coffee. For a single small item, use comprar (to buy). Fazer compras implies a collection of items or a dedicated trip. Also, avoid it if you are talking about 'shopping' for ideas or metaphors. This phrase is strictly about physical goods and stores. Your bank account will thank you for using it often!
Cultural Background
In Portugal and Brazil, fazer compras is a social event. People often go with family or friends to the 'Shopping' (the mall). Saying não fazer compras might sometimes require an excuse. You might say you are 'poupando' (saving money). Brazilians, in particular, love a good stroll through the mall even if they aren't buying. So, saying you aren't shopping might just mean you're there for the air conditioning!
Common Variations
You might hear não ir às compras which means 'not to go to the shops.' In Brazil, people often say não vou ao shopping specifically for the mall. If you are talking about groceries specifically, you could say não fazer a feira. However, não fazer compras remains the most universal version. It is understood by every Portuguese speaker on the planet.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is universally understood and safe for all social levels. The main 'gotcha' is remembering to conjugate the irregular verb `fazer` correctly.
The 'Going' Shortcut
In spoken Portuguese, people often say 'Não vou fazer compras' instead of just 'Não faço compras' to talk about immediate plans.
Shopping vs. Store
Remember that in Portuguese, 'Shopping' is the noun for the building (the mall). Don't say 'Eu vou shopping'; say 'Eu vou ao shopping'.
The Window Shopping Trick
If you want to go to the mall but not buy anything, use the phrase 'dar uma voltinha' (take a little walk) instead of 'fazer compras'.
Exemples
6Hoje eu não vou fazer compras, estou sem dinheiro.
I'm not going shopping today, I'm out of money.
A very common and honest excuse among friends.
Nós não precisamos fazer compras esta semana.
We don't need to do the shopping this week.
Refers to the routine grocery shopping.
A empresa decidiu não fazer compras de novos equipamentos.
The company decided not to purchase new equipment.
Shows the phrase works for corporate procurement too.
Não faço compras hoje, a geladeira está cheia!
I'm not shopping today, the fridge is full!
Short, punchy text message style.
Tentei não fazer compras, mas vi uma promoção!
I tried not to go shopping, but I saw a sale!
Relatable humor about lack of self-control.
Eu detesto fazer compras, por isso não vou.
I hate shopping, that's why I'm not going.
Expressing a personal preference strongly.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence to say 'I am not going shopping today.'
Eu ___ fazer compras hoje.
We use the verb 'ir' (vou) to indicate the intention of 'going' to do something.
Choose the correct negative form for 'We don't shop at that store.'
Nós não ___ compras naquela loja.
'Fazemos' is the correct 'nós' (we) conjugation for the verb 'fazer'.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Level of 'Não fazer compras'
Talking to friends about the mall.
Não vou fazer compras hoje.
Standard daily communication.
Não precisamos fazer compras.
Business or official contexts.
A instituição optou por não fazer compras.
When to say you aren't shopping
Saving money
Estou economizando.
Fridge is full
A geladeira está cheia.
Hating crowds
O shopping está lotado.
Busy schedule
Não tenho tempo.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is a general term. You can use não fazer compras for clothes, electronics, or the weekly supermarket run.
You change the verb fazer to the past tense: Eu não fiz compras.
Not at all! It is a very neutral statement of fact. Just add a reason like estou cansado (I'm tired) to be extra polite.
Yes, but comprar usually needs an object, like não vou comprar pão. Fazer compras stands alone as an activity.
Not really for the negative, but people might say não vou bater perna (I'm not going to 'beat legs'), which means wandering the shops.
The phrase is identical in both. However, in Portugal, you might hear não ir às compras slightly more often.
Yes, when referring to the activity of shopping, it is almost always plural: fazer compras.
If a shopkeeper asks if you need help, you don't say this phrase. Instead, say Estou só olhando.
Yes! You can say não faço compras online if you prefer physical stores.
Both work. Fazer as compras often refers to a specific, expected trip like the weekly groceries.
Expressions liées
Commentaires (0)
Connectez-vous pour CommenterCommencez à apprendre les langues gratuitement
Commence Gratuitement