Poderia me fazer o favor de
Littéralement: Could (you) to me do the favor of
Use this phrase when you want to be exceptionally polite and respectful with requests.
En 15 secondes
- A very polite way to ask for help or a service.
- Combines 'could you' with 'do me a favor.'
- Always followed by a verb in the infinitive form.
Signification
This is a polite way to ask someone to do something for you. It is like saying 'Could you do me the favor of...' in English.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At a busy restaurant
Poderia me fazer o favor de trazer a conta?
Could you do me the favor of bringing the bill?
Asking a neighbor for help
Poderia me fazer o favor de olhar meu gato amanhã?
Could you do me the favor of watching my cat tomorrow?
In a formal office meeting
Poderia me fazer o favor de repetir o último dado?
Could you do me the favor of repeating the last data point?
Contexte culturel
Portuguese speakers often use 'softeners' like the conditional tense to avoid appearing bossy. This specific phrase is a hallmark of 'educação' (good manners), which is highly prized in Lusophone societies. It bridges the gap between a simple request and a formal petition.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember the 'de' at the end. Without it, the sentence feels unfinished, like saying 'Could you do me the favor... open the door?'
Don't Overdo It
If you use this with your best friend to ask for a sip of water, they will think you are being weird or making fun of them.
En 15 secondes
- A very polite way to ask for help or a service.
- Combines 'could you' with 'do me a favor.'
- Always followed by a verb in the infinitive form.
What It Means
This phrase is the gold standard for polite requests in Portuguese. It uses the conditional tense poderia to soften your approach. It is much gentler than just saying 'do this for me.' You are essentially asking for a small kindness. It turns a command into a respectful invitation.
How To Use It
Start your sentence with Poderia me fazer o favor de. Then, simply add a verb in its original infinitive form. For example, add fechar a porta (to close the door). It sounds smooth and sophisticated. You do not need to conjugate the second verb at all. This makes it a very easy 'plug and play' phrase for your vocabulary.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to be extra polite or persuasive. It is perfect for talking to strangers or elders. Use it at a restaurant if you need a clean fork. Use it at work when asking a colleague for a report. It works great when you are asking for something that might be a slight inconvenience. It makes people want to help you because you sound so well-mannered.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this with your best friends while watching a football game. It will sound way too stiff and formal. They might ask if you are feeling okay or being sarcastic. Avoid it in high-stress, emergency situations where speed is key. If the house is on fire, do not say Poderia me fazer o favor de sair. Just yell 'Run!'
Cultural Background
Brazilian and Portuguese cultures value social harmony and 'jeitinho.' Being polite is a way to grease the wheels of social interaction. Using the conditional poderia shows you respect the other person's time. It reflects a culture that prefers indirectness over bluntness. It is the linguistic equivalent of a warm smile and a slight nod.
Common Variations
You can swap me fazer for me prestar. That sounds even more formal and old-fashioned. You can also say Você poderia... to be more specific. In very casual settings, people just say Me faz um favor?. If you want to be super brief, try Faz favor?. But stick to the full version if you want to impress your mother-in-law.
Notes d'usage
This phrase sits firmly in the formal/neutral register. It is the safest choice for any situation where you aren't 100% sure how casual you can be.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember the 'de' at the end. Without it, the sentence feels unfinished, like saying 'Could you do me the favor... open the door?'
Don't Overdo It
If you use this with your best friend to ask for a sip of water, they will think you are being weird or making fun of them.
The Power of the Smile
In Brazil, pairing this phrase with a smile and 'por favor' at the end makes you nearly invincible in social negotiations.
Exemples
6Poderia me fazer o favor de trazer a conta?
Could you do me the favor of bringing the bill?
Using this with a busy waiter usually gets a faster, friendlier response.
Poderia me fazer o favor de olhar meu gato amanhã?
Could you do me the favor of watching my cat tomorrow?
Softens a big request like pet sitting.
Poderia me fazer o favor de repetir o último dado?
Could you do me the favor of repeating the last data point?
Shows professional respect to the speaker.
Poderia me fazer o favor de indicar o caminho para o metrô?
Could you do me the favor of showing me the way to the subway?
Perfect for approaching someone you don't know on the street.
Poderia me fazer o favor de tirar suas meias do sofá?
Could you do me the favor of taking your socks off the sofa?
The extreme politeness creates a humorous, sarcastic contrast.
Poderia me fazer o favor de me deixar sozinho por um minuto?
Could you do me the favor of leaving me alone for a minute?
A gentle way to ask for space during an emotional time.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence to ask someone to open the window politely.
Poderia me fazer o favor de ___ a janela?
After 'de', you must use the infinitive form of the verb.
Which word makes the request 'could you' instead of 'can you'?
___ me fazer o favor de ajudar?
'Poderia' is the conditional form, making it much more polite than 'Pode'.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Levels of Requests
Friends/Family
Me faz um favor?
Colleagues/Daily life
Pode me ajudar?
Strangers/Elders/Work
Poderia me fazer o favor de...
Diplomatic/Legal
Solicito a gentileza de...
Where to use this phrase
Bank Teller
...conferir este saldo?
New Boss
...revisar este e-mail?
Elderly Neighbor
...segurar a porta?
Hotel Reception
...chamar um táxi?
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot exactly. Por favor means 'please,' while Poderia me fazer o favor de is a full sentence structure for a request. You can actually use both together for extra politeness: Poderia me fazer o favor de ajudar, por favor?.
Yes, it is perfect for a professional setting. It shows you respect their authority and their time, especially when asking for a task like Poderia me fazer o favor de assinar isto?.
Yes, but it might look a bit formal. In a text to a colleague, it’s fine; in a text to a close friend, you’d likely just say Me faz um favor?.
Pode is 'can,' which is direct. Poderia is 'could,' which is softer and more polite. Using Poderia makes the favor feel less like a demand.
No, because the word de requires the infinitive fazer. Faça is the imperative (command) form, which doesn't fit here.
It is used in both! However, in Portugal, you might hear Poderia fazer-me (placing the 'me' after the verb), whereas in Brazil, me fazer is the standard.
You would change the first word to the plural: Poderiam me fazer o favor de.... Note the 'm' at the end of Poderiam.
You can also say me fazer a gentileza de, which is even more elegant and formal. It’s like saying 'do me the kindness of'.
It is optional. You can say Você poderia me fazer... or just Poderia me fazer.... In Portuguese, the verb ending often makes the subject clear.
Forgetting the verb at the end. You can't just say Poderia me fazer o favor? without specifying what the favor is, unless the context is already obvious.
Expressions liées
Me faz um favor?
Do me a favor? (Casual)
Pode me dar uma mão?
Can you give me a hand?
Seria possível...
Would it be possible...
Se não for incômodo
If it's not a bother
Por gentileza
By kindness (A very formal 'please')
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