In 15 Sekunden
- Used for children throwing tantrums or adults sulking stubbornly.
- Combines the verb 'fazer' with the noun 'birra'.
- Highly common in daily family life and casual social circles.
Bedeutung
It describes when someone—usually a child, but often a stubborn adult—acts out or sulks because they didn't get their way.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6At the supermarket with a child
O João está fazendo birra porque quer chocolate.
João is throwing a tantrum because he wants chocolate.
A friend refusing to go to a specific bar
Para de fazer birra e vamos logo para a festa!
Stop sulking and let's go to the party already!
A formal office setting (talking about a client)
O cliente está fazendo birra com os termos do contrato.
The client is being difficult about the contract terms.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The word 'birra' has roots in the idea of a 'strong whim' or 'obstinacy'. While it sounds like the Italian word for beer, it has nothing to do with alcohol in Portuguese. It reflects a Mediterranean cultural tolerance for expressing emotions loudly, whether you are three or thirty-three.
The Adjective Form
If you want to describe a person who is prone to tantrums, call them 'birrento' (male) or 'birrenta' (female).
Don't confuse with Beer
In Italian, 'birra' means beer. In Portuguese, beer is 'cerveja'. Don't try to order a 'birra' at a bar unless you want a very confused waiter!
In 15 Sekunden
- Used for children throwing tantrums or adults sulking stubbornly.
- Combines the verb 'fazer' with the noun 'birra'.
- Highly common in daily family life and casual social circles.
What It Means
Fazer birra is the classic expression for throwing a fit. It starts with children screaming for toys in a supermarket. But in Brazil and Portugal, it also applies to adults. It implies a childish refusal to cooperate. You use it when someone is being unnecessarily difficult. It captures that specific mix of stubbornness and annoyance.
How To Use It
The verb is always fazer (to do/make). You can use it in any tense. If a kid is crying now, they are fazendo birra. If your boyfriend is sulking about the dinner choice, he is fazendo birra. It is a very flexible collocation. You don't need many extra words to make it work. Just name the person and add the phrase.
When To Use It
Use it at home with family members. It is perfect for describing a toddler's meltdown. Use it with close friends when someone is being a 'drama queen'. You can even use it in casual work settings. Imagine a colleague refusing to use a new software. You might whisper to another friend that they are fazendo birra. It adds a touch of lighthearted mockery to the situation.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in high-stakes professional meetings. Calling your boss's decision a birra might get you fired. It is too informal for serious legal or medical contexts. Do not use it if someone is genuinely grieving or upset. It trivializes their feelings by calling them 'childish'. Use it for petty complaints, not real tragedies.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture is very family-oriented. You see kids everywhere, from late-night dinners to weddings. Consequently, birra is a word every parent uses daily. There is a cultural trope of the 'stubborn old man' or the 'spoiled child'. Brazilians, in particular, love to use it to describe politicians. It suggests that someone is putting their ego above logic.
Common Variations
You might hear está de birra. This means the person is currently in a sulky mood. Another common one is birrento. This is the adjective for a person who does this often. If someone is always complaining, they are a pessoa birrenta. It is a label you definitely want to avoid at a party!
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is neutral-to-informal. It is most effective when used to point out that someone is acting younger than their actual age.
The Adjective Form
If you want to describe a person who is prone to tantrums, call them 'birrento' (male) or 'birrenta' (female).
Don't confuse with Beer
In Italian, 'birra' means beer. In Portuguese, beer is 'cerveja'. Don't try to order a 'birra' at a bar unless you want a very confused waiter!
The 'Adult' Birra
Brazilians use this frequently for adults to shame them into acting more maturely. It's a powerful social tool to end an argument.
Beispiele
6O João está fazendo birra porque quer chocolate.
João is throwing a tantrum because he wants chocolate.
The most literal and common use of the phrase.
Para de fazer birra e vamos logo para a festa!
Stop sulking and let's go to the party already!
Used here to tell a friend they are being annoying/stubborn.
O cliente está fazendo birra com os termos do contrato.
The client is being difficult about the contract terms.
Slightly risky; implies the client is being unprofessional.
Você ainda está de birra por causa de ontem?
Are you still sulking because of yesterday?
Uses 'estar de birra' to describe a lingering mood.
Meu cachorro faz birra quando eu não dou petisco.
My dog throws a fit when I don't give him a treat.
Anthropomorphizing a pet for comedic effect.
Não é birra, eu realmente não me sinto confortável lá.
It's not a tantrum, I really don't feel comfortable there.
Defending oneself against the accusation of being childish.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct form of the verb to describe a recurring habit.
Ela sempre ___ birra quando perde no videogame.
In Portuguese, 'birra' is almost always paired with the verb 'fazer'.
Complete the sentence to describe someone who is currently sulking.
O meu namorado está ___ birra comigo.
The expression 'estar de birra' describes the state of sulking.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Fazer Birra'
Very informal, used among teenagers.
Mó birra, mano.
Standard daily use with friends/family.
Para de fazer birra!
Used in workplace venting.
Ele está fazendo birra.
Avoid. Use 'comportamento infantil' instead.
N/A
Where will you hear 'Birra'?
Supermarket
Kids wanting toys
Board Games
The sore loser
Dating
The silent treatment
Politics
News commentary
Aufgabensammlung
2 AufgabenEla sempre ___ birra quando perde no videogame.
In Portuguese, 'birra' is almost always paired with the verb 'fazer'.
O meu namorado está ___ birra comigo.
The expression 'estar de birra' describes the state of sulking.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, that would be insensitive. Use it for minor, childish frustrations like birra de criança.
Not at all! It is very common to use it for adults who are being stubborn or sulky, like meu chefe está fazendo birra.
Fazer birra is the act of throwing the tantrum, while estar de birra implies a state of sulking over time.
No, it is completely safe for general conversation, though it is informal.
Yes, the meaning is identical in both countries, though the accent will differ.
Only if you have a very close, informal relationship with the recipient. Otherwise, it sounds unprofessional.
You say Para de fazer birra! or Deixa de birra!
Yes, manhã is often used for children, as in ele está fazendo manhã.
Sometimes. If you say peguei birra de alguém, it means you've taken a dislike to them for a petty reason.
A birrento is a person who is habitually stubborn or prone to tantrums.
Verwandte Redewendungen
fazer manhã
to act spoiled or whiny (usually kids)
dar um chilique
to have a fit / freak out (more explosive)
bater o pé
to insist stubbornly on something
ficar de bico
to pout or sulk
