não fazer fila
to queue
Littéralement: not to make line
Use this phrase to tell others they can skip the wait and walk right into a place.
En 15 secondes
- Used to describe a place with no waiting time or queue.
- Commonly used for restaurants, banks, and tourist attractions.
- A very literal and helpful phrase for daily errands.
Signification
This phrase literally means 'to not make a line.' It is used when you don't have to wait in a queue or when a place is empty enough that you can walk right in.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Giving a travel tip
Se fores cedo, não faz fila no museu.
If you go early, there is no queue at the museum.
Checking in with a colleague
Fui ao banco e, por sorte, não fazia fila.
I went to the bank and, luckily, there was no queue.
Texting a friend from a bar
Vem agora! Ainda não faz fila na entrada.
Come now! There's still no line at the entrance.
Contexte culturel
In Portugal, the word 'fila' is the standard for a line of people, while 'bicha' is an older term still used by some, though it has other meanings in Brazil. Efficiency in public services has historically been a challenge, so a place that 'doesn't make a line' is considered a hidden gem.
The Brazilian Twist
If you are in Brazil, you will hear 'não tem fila' much more often than 'não faz fila'. Both are understood, but 'tem' is the king of casual Brazilian Portuguese.
Don't use 'Linha'
Even though 'line' translates to 'linha' in geometry or for a phone line, never use 'linha' for a queue of people. It's always 'fila'.
En 15 secondes
- Used to describe a place with no waiting time or queue.
- Commonly used for restaurants, banks, and tourist attractions.
- A very literal and helpful phrase for daily errands.
What It Means
Não fazer fila is a simple way to say there is no wait. It describes the glorious moment when you arrive somewhere and there are no people standing in front of you. In Portugal and Brazil, queues are a way of life. Finding a spot where you don't have to 'make a line' feels like winning the lottery. It is direct, literal, and very common in daily conversation.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb phrase. You can describe a specific place or a time of day. For example, Às duas da tarde não faz fila. Use it when giving advice to friends about the best time to visit a bakery. It is also great for expressing relief when you get to the bank and it is empty. Just remember to conjugate the verb fazer based on the subject.
When To Use It
Use it when talking about shops, restaurants, or government offices. It is perfect for travel tips. Tell your friends which museum entrance is the fastest. Use it in texts when you are waiting for someone. 'Come quickly, não está a fazer fila!' It works well in any situation involving a service or a physical location.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things that don't involve physical lines. You wouldn't use it for a digital waiting list or a phone queue. Also, avoid it in very high-level academic writing. It is a bit too grounded in physical reality for abstract concepts. If you are talking about a traffic jam, use trânsito instead of fila.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture values social interaction, but nobody likes the fila. In many Portuguese cities, the 'bicha' (another word for queue) is a place of quiet suffering. Being able to say não faz fila is a high compliment for a business. It implies efficiency or a well-kept secret location. It reflects a Mediterranean desire for ease and avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy.
Common Variations
You might hear não tem fila more often in Brazil. In Portugal, não se faz fila or não há fila are very common. If the line is moving fast, you might say a fila anda bem. If there is no one there at all, you can say está vazio. All of these capture that same sense of freedom from waiting.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any social register. In Portugal, 'fazer' is the most natural verb choice, while 'ter' (to have) is a common alternative in casual speech.
The Brazilian Twist
If you are in Brazil, you will hear 'não tem fila' much more often than 'não faz fila'. Both are understood, but 'tem' is the king of casual Brazilian Portuguese.
Don't use 'Linha'
Even though 'line' translates to 'linha' in geometry or for a phone line, never use 'linha' for a queue of people. It's always 'fila'.
The 'Bicha' Confusion
In older European Portuguese, 'bicha' means queue. In modern times, especially in Brazil, this is a slang term for a gay man. Stick to 'fila' to be safe and modern!
Exemples
6Se fores cedo, não faz fila no museu.
If you go early, there is no queue at the museum.
A classic piece of advice for tourists.
Fui ao banco e, por sorte, não fazia fila.
I went to the bank and, luckily, there was no queue.
Using the imperfect tense to describe a past state.
Vem agora! Ainda não faz fila na entrada.
Come now! There's still no line at the entrance.
Urgent and casual for social planning.
É impossível, aquele café faz sempre fila.
It's impossible, that cafe always has a queue.
The negative version to express frustration.
Costuma fazer fila a esta hora?
Does it usually have a queue at this time?
A polite way to inquire about busy periods.
Graças a Deus que não fazia fila no supermercado.
Thank God there was no line at the supermarket.
Expressing genuine relief over a small win.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence to say the bakery has no line.
Naquela padaria ___ fila.
The verb 'fazer' (to make) is the standard verb used with 'fila' in this context.
Choose the best time to visit based on the phrase.
Às 8h da manhã, o correio ___.
Usually, early morning is when there is no queue, making 'não faz fila' the logical choice for a tip.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Não fazer fila'
Texting friends about a party.
Não faz fila, anda!
Talking to a shopkeeper or neighbor.
Hoje não faz fila aqui.
Writing a formal email about office efficiency.
O novo sistema garante que não se faça fila.
Where to use 'Não fazer fila'
At the Post Office
Finalmente não faz fila nos correios!
At a Concert
Entramos logo, não fazia fila.
Lunchtime
Este restaurante não faz fila às 12h.
Government Office
Inacreditável, não faz fila hoje.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, exactly. It implies that you can be served immediately without standing behind others.
Not really. For traffic, we use não há trânsito or está parado. Fila is specifically for people or cars in a structured line.
Usually, we drop the 'uma'. We just say fazer fila as a general concept.
You would say está uma fila enorme or faz uma fila gigante.
Yes, it is neutral. You can say não fazia fila na repartição to your boss without any issue.
Simply fazer fila or ter muita fila.
It's rare. For websites, we usually say lista de espera (waiting list) or tempo de espera.
Yes, fila is universal. Only the accompanying verb (fazer vs ter) changes in popularity between the two.
That is called furar a fila. If someone does that, you definitely can't say não faz fila!
No, it describes a situation or a place, not a personality trait.
Expressions liées
furar a fila
to jump the queue / cut in line
estar na fila
to be in the queue
fila de espera
waiting list / waiting line
chegar a vez
to be one's turn
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