در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Used to describe someone who is shameless or incredibly cheeky.
- Literally means 'to make a wooden face' because wood doesn't blush.
- Common in daily life for social audacity or bold lies.
معنی
It describes someone who acts with total audacity or lacks a sense of shame. It is that person who does something bold or cheeky without even blushing.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6A friend asks for a bite of your food after saying they weren't hungry
Você é muito cara de pau, disse que não queria nada!
You are so shameless, you said you didn't want anything!
A coworker takes credit for your project in a meeting
Ele teve a cara de pau de dizer que o projeto era dele.
He had the nerve to say the project was his.
Texting a friend about someone who didn't pay back a loan
O cara ainda não me pagou e postou foto viajando. Que cara de pau!
The guy still hasn't paid me and posted a travel photo. What a nerve!
زمینه فرهنگی
In Brazil, 'cara de pau' is often associated with the 'Malandro'—a cultural figure who uses wit and audacity to navigate life's difficulties. It's not always an insult; sometimes it's a compliment for someone's cleverness. In Portugal, the phrase is common but can be perceived as slightly more offensive. It directly challenges someone's integrity and social standing. In Angolan Portuguese, 'cara de pau' is used similarly to Brazil, often in informal street slang to describe someone who is 'folgado' (lazy/taking advantage). Used in urban centers like Maputo, it retains the meaning of shamelessness, often used in political or social critiques of corruption.
Use it with 'Que'!
The most natural way to use this is as an exclamation: 'Que cara de pau!' when you see someone doing something bold.
Don't use with 'Rosto'
Never say 'rosto de pau'. Even though 'rosto' means face, the idiom is fixed with 'cara'.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Used to describe someone who is shameless or incredibly cheeky.
- Literally means 'to make a wooden face' because wood doesn't blush.
- Common in daily life for social audacity or bold lies.
What It Means
Fazer cara de pau is all about having a 'wooden face.' Think about it. Wood doesn't change color. It doesn't blush when it's embarrassed. When you have a cara de pau, you are being bold, cheeky, or outright shameless. You might be asking for a huge favor from someone you barely know. Or perhaps you are lying while looking someone straight in the eye. It is that specific brand of audacity that makes others think, 'I can't believe they just did that!'
How To Use It
You can use it as a verb phrase ele fez cara de pau. You can also use the noun form ele é um cara de pau to describe the person. It is very flexible in Portuguese. You use it to describe the act of being cheeky. It often implies a bit of a 'poker face' while doing something socially daring. If you are caught in a lie and keep going, you are doing it. If you ask for a discount on something already cheap, you are doing it too.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend asks to borrow money for the fifth time. Use it when someone cuts the line at the supermarket with a smile. It is perfect for describing that coworker who takes credit for your idea. You can use it playfully with friends who are being 'extra.' It works well in casual storytelling about people's behavior. It is a staple of Brazilian daily conversation. You will hear it at parties, in offices, and definitely in family dramas.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in very formal legal or professional settings. Do not say it to your CEO during a serious performance review. It carries a judgmental tone, even if it is sometimes lighthearted. If someone is genuinely grieving or in a crisis, this is too flippant. It is not for serious crimes or tragedies. It is for social transgressions and cheeky behaviors. Using it in a funeral would make *you* the cara de pau!
Cultural Background
Brazilians value social harmony but also admire a bit of jeitinho. However, cara de pau is where that boldness goes a bit too far. The expression likely comes from the idea of a mask. A wooden mask hides your true emotions and your shame. It has been popular for decades across all of Brazil. It reflects a culture that is very sensitive to social 'face' and reputation. Being called this is a sign you've broken the 'unwritten rules' of modesty.
Common Variations
You will often hear just the noun: Que cara de pau! (What a cheek!). Sometimes people use carapau, though that is also a type of fish. You might hear na cara dura, which means doing something shamelessly in plain sight. Another one is nem tremeu a voz, meaning they didn't even flinch. But cara de pau remains the undisputed king of audacity expressions. It is the go-to phrase for any Brazilian when someone crosses the line of boldness.
نکات کاربردی
The phrase is highly informal and very common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese. It functions as both a noun (the person) and a verb phrase (the action), making it extremely versatile.
Use it with 'Que'!
The most natural way to use this is as an exclamation: 'Que cara de pau!' when you see someone doing something bold.
Don't use with 'Rosto'
Never say 'rosto de pau'. Even though 'rosto' means face, the idiom is fixed with 'cara'.
The 'Lavada' boost
Add 'lavada' (washed) to the end to sound like a native speaker when you're really annoyed: 'Ele é um cara de pau lavada!'
مثالها
6Você é muito cara de pau, disse que não queria nada!
You are so shameless, you said you didn't want anything!
A very common playful use among friends.
Ele teve a cara de pau de dizer que o projeto era dele.
He had the nerve to say the project was his.
Expresses frustration at someone's professional audacity.
O cara ainda não me pagou e postou foto viajando. Que cara de pau!
The guy still hasn't paid me and posted a travel photo. What a nerve!
Used to vent about someone's lack of social awareness.
Ela fez cara de pau e fingiu que não viu a fila.
She acted shameless and pretended she didn't see the line.
Describes a specific action of feigning ignorance.
Como você consegue mentir com essa cara de pau?
How can you lie with such a straight, shameless face?
Used in a high-tension, emotional confrontation.
Eu fiz cara de pau e pedi 50% de desconto.
I was bold and asked for a 50% discount.
Self-deprecating use to describe one's own boldness.
خودت رو بسنج
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'fazer cara de pau'.
Eu não acredito que ele ______ e pediu para eu fazer o trabalho dele!
The standard idiom uses 'fazer' and 'cara de pau'.
Which situation best describes someone 'fazendo cara de pau'?
Situação:
Option B shows audacity and a lack of shame, which is the definition of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
Ana: 'O Marcos me pediu dinheiro de novo.' Bia: 'Nossa, ______! Ele nunca paga!'
'Que cara de pau!' is a very common exclamation of disbelief.
Match the phrase to the intent.
Match 'Fiz cara de pau e pedi um desconto' with its meaning.
In this context, it means being bold to get a benefit.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
بانک تمرین
4 تمرینهاEu não acredito que ele ______ e pediu para eu fazer o trabalho dele!
The standard idiom uses 'fazer' and 'cara de pau'.
Situação:
Option B shows audacity and a lack of shame, which is the definition of the phrase.
Ana: 'O Marcos me pediu dinheiro de novo.' Bia: 'Nossa, ______! Ele nunca paga!'
'Que cara de pau!' is a very common exclamation of disbelief.
Match 'Fiz cara de pau e pedi um desconto' with its meaning.
In this context, it means being bold to get a benefit.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
سوالات متداول
10 سوالNo, it's not a swear word, but it is informal and can be insulting depending on your tone.
Yes! You can say 'Ela é uma cara de pau' or 'Ela fez cara de pau'.
The closest are 'to have the nerve', 'to be cheeky', or 'to be brazen'.
Yes, it's widely understood and used in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Probably not. It's too informal. Use 'audácia' or 'proatividade' instead.
No. A boring person is 'chato'. A 'cara de pau' is someone who is bold/shameless.
It's an intensified version, meaning someone is 'completely' or 'utterly' shameless.
Not a single verb, but the collocation 'fazer cara de pau' acts as the verbal form.
Sometimes! If a friend gets a free drink by being bold, you might say it with a smile and admiration.
You say: 'Você tem a cara de pau de...'
عبارات مرتبط
Sem-vergonha
synonymShameless person.
Folgado
similarSomeone who takes advantage of others' kindness.
Cínico
similarCynical.
Vergonha na cara
contrastTo have a sense of shame/decency.
Cara de pau lavada
specialized formExtremely shameless.
