não fazer sentido

Using this phrase is easier than figuring out why pineapple belongs on pizza (which, let’s be honest, não faz sentido). You mostly just need to conjugate the verb fazer. In the present tense, it is usually não faz sentido. If you are talking about something in the past, like a movie ending that ruined your night, you would say não fez sentido. You can also add emphasis. Não faz sentido nenhum means 'it makes no sense at all.' It is like adding three exclamation points to your confusion. You can also point it at people or things. Isso não faz sentido (That doesn't make sense) or O que você disse não faz sentido (What you said doesn't make sense). Just remember that fazer is an irregular verb, so keep an eye on those conjugations. If you use it as a question—Faz sentido?—it is the perfect way to check if someone actually understands your rambling WhatsApp voice note.

Imagine you are scrolling through TikTok and see a 'life hack' that involves using a hairbrush to peel a potato. You would definitely comment: Isso não faz sentido nenhum! Or think about a job interview on Zoom where the recruiter asks what your favorite color of dinosaur is. After the call, you’d tell your friend: Aquelas perguntas não fizeram sentido. It is also great for travel vlogging. If you arrive at a train station in Lisbon and the sign says the train arrives at 14:00 but it’s already 15:00 and the platform is empty, you can sigh and say: Isso não faz sentido. In a more emotional context, if someone you really like suddenly stops texting back (the dreaded ghosting), you might think: O comportamento dele não faz sentido. It’s the phrase for the modern world’s many little mysteries.

Use this whenever logic has left the building. It is perfect for reacting to news stories that seem fake, or when a friend explains a 'get rich quick' scheme involving crypto-bananas. It is neutral enough for a professional setting too. If a colleague proposes a project timeline that ignores the laws of physics, you can politely say: Essa data não faz sentido para a equipe. It is also very common in academic or learning contexts. If a teacher explains a rule and you are still lost, Isso não faz sentido para mim is a polite way to ask for a better explanation. It is your shield against the confusing and your bridge to clarity. It’s also great for venting about why the price of coffee went up again. Seriously, five euros for a latte não faz sentido!

Do not use this if you just simply disagree with an opinion. For example, if someone says 'The Godfather is a boring movie,' saying isso não faz sentido sounds like you think their brain is broken. Instead, you just disagree. Use it for logic, not for taste. Also, avoid using it when someone is grieving or sharing something very personal and emotional. If someone says 'I am sad because I miss my dog,' responding with isso não faz sentido would make you the least popular person in the room. In those cases, use empathy, not logic. Also, do not confuse it with não ter razão. Não ter razão means someone is wrong in an argument. Não fazer sentido means the argument itself is built on madness.

(While some people say tem sentido in Brazil, faz sentido is the standard collocation you should learn first. It’s the one that feels 'right' to most ears.)

(Sensatez is 'good sense' or 'wisdom.' You can't 'make' wisdom in this context. You want the 'logic' of the situation.)

(Don't shorten the word! Sente is a form of the verb sentir. You need the noun sentido.)

(In English we might 'give' something meaning, but in Portuguese, we 'make' the sense.)

If you want to sound even more like a native, try nada a ver. It literally means 'nothing to see,' but it’s used like 'that has nothing to do with anything' or 'that’s nonsense.' It’s the cool, younger cousin of não fazer sentido. Another one is sem nexo. This is a bit more formal and literally means 'without connection.' Use it when a story is so disjointed it feels like several different books mixed together. Then there is absurdo. Use this when the lack of sense makes you a bit angry. If the bus is two hours late, it’s not just illogical; é um absurdo!. Finally, bobagem is used for 'nonsense' or 'silly talk.' If someone is talking trash about your favorite football team, tell them Isso é bobagem.

Portuguese speakers love to tweak this phrase. Não faz o menor sentido is a favorite—it means 'it doesn't make the slightest bit of sense.' It’s very dramatic. You can also say não faz sentido nenhum, which is the standard way to emphasize the 'zero logic' vibe. In Portugal, you might hear não faz qualquer sentido. If you want to be more tentative, you can say parece não fazer sentido (it seems not to make sense). This is great for when you’re being polite or if you’re not 100% sure you haven’t just missed something. It’s the 'it’s not you, it’s me... but it’s probably you' of logic phrases.

Is não fazer sentido formal?

It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your grandma, or the guy at the kebab shop without any issues. It’s very safe.

Can I say Isso não faz sentido para você? to ask if someone is confused?

Yes! It’s a great way to check-in during a conversation. Just be careful with your tone so it doesn't sound like you're calling them slow.

What is the difference between não faz sentido and não entendo?

Não entendo means 'I don't understand' (maybe because of the language or the speed). Não faz sentido means you understand the words, but the logic behind them is garbage.

Is there a slang version?

Nada a ver is the most common slangy alternative. It’s everywhere in Brazil and very common in Portugal too.