Meaning
To produce sound, often loud or disruptive.
Cultural Background
The 'Panelaço' is a form of protest where people bang pots and pans from their balconies. It is a literal way of 'fazendo barulho' to show political dissatisfaction. In Portugal, 'ruído' is often used in legal contexts regarding 'Lei do Ruído' (Noise Law), which is strictly enforced in residential areas after 11 PM. In Luanda, 'fazer barulho' can refer to the vibrant street life and 'kuduro' music culture, where loud sound is a sign of community and energy. During New Year's Eve, it is common to 'fazer barulho' with fireworks and cheering to 'scare away' the bad luck of the previous year.
Use with 'um'
Use 'fazer UM barulho' when referring to a specific, sudden sound you just heard.
Not for 'making a sound'
If you just want to say someone spoke, don't use 'fazer barulho'. Use 'falar' or 'dizer'.
Meaning
To produce sound, often loud or disruptive.
Use with 'um'
Use 'fazer UM barulho' when referring to a specific, sudden sound you just heard.
Not for 'making a sound'
If you just want to say someone spoke, don't use 'fazer barulho'. Use 'falar' or 'dizer'.
Marketing Speak
In a business context, 'fazer barulho' is a positive thing, meaning 'to get noticed'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'fazer' in the present tense.
Os vizinhos sempre _______ barulho à noite.
'Os vizinhos' is third-person plural, so we use 'fazem'.
Which sentence is a polite way to ask someone to be quiet?
Como pedir silêncio educadamente?
This uses the imperative 'faça' with 'por favor' for politeness.
Complete the dialogue between a customer and a mechanic.
Cliente: Meu carro está _______ um barulho estranho. Mecânico: Deixe-me ver o motor.
We use the gerund 'fazendo' to describe an ongoing action.
Match the phrase to the context.
Contexto: Uma nova música de sucesso.
In this context, 'fazer barulho' means to be very successful and talked about.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of Barulho
Domestic
- • Vizinhos
- • Obras
- • Cachorro
Mechanical
- • Carro
- • Motor
- • Ventilador
Social
- • Festa
- • Protesto
- • Notícia
Practice Bank
4 exercisesOs vizinhos sempre _______ barulho à noite.
'Os vizinhos' is third-person plural, so we use 'fazem'.
Como pedir silêncio educadamente?
This uses the imperative 'faça' with 'por favor' for politeness.
Cliente: Meu carro está _______ um barulho estranho. Mecânico: Deixe-me ver o motor.
We use the gerund 'fazendo' to describe an ongoing action.
Contexto: Uma nova música de sucesso.
In this context, 'fazer barulho' means to be very successful and talked about.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually, yes, it implies something loud or annoying. However, in marketing or parties, it can be positive.
Yes, but it's more formal and common in Portugal or technical contexts.
The adjective is 'barulhento' (masculine) or 'barulhenta' (feminine).
It's a protest where people 'fazem barulho' by hitting pots (panelas).
Yes, 'Ele faz muito barulho' means he is a loud person.
Usually 'fazer barulho'. Use 'o' only if you are talking about a specific noise already mentioned.
'Som' is any sound (neutral/positive). 'Barulho' is noise (usually negative/loud).
Say 'Parem de fazer barulho!'
No, it's standard Portuguese, but it has slangy figurative uses.
It can, especially in the sense of 'making a fuss' or 'raising an outcry'.
Related Phrases
Fazer silêncio
contrastTo be quiet
Dar o que falar
similarTo give people something to talk about
Causar
specialized formTo cause a stir / show off
Fazer algazarra
synonymTo make a rowdy racket
Fazer escarcéu
similarTo make a fuss
