In 15 Seconds
- Means to talk trash or complain.
- Very informal, used for negative talk.
- Originates from folk wisdom about complaining.
- Avoid in formal situations or for praise.
Meaning
This is what you say when someone is complaining a lot, gossiping, or just generally talking smack about others. It's that petty grumbling or trash-talking vibe, like someone is just spewing negativity or complaining about trivial stuff. Think of it as someone making a lot of noise with their mouth, but it's all negative talk.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about a coworker
Aquele estagiário vive fazendo boca sobre o chefe.
That intern is always trash-talking the boss.
Watching a reality TV show
Essa participante só sabe fazer boca das outras competidoras.
This contestant only knows how to bad-mouth the other competitors.
Complaining about a service online
O atendimento ao cliente foi péssimo, fiquei fazendo boca o caminho todo pra casa.
The customer service was terrible, I was complaining the whole way home.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'fazer boca' is often linked to the 'fofoqueiro' (gossip) archetype. It's a social warning: if you 'faz boca' too much, you lose social capital. In Portugal, the phrase is slightly less common than 'resmungar' or 'falar mal', but it is understood as a form of childish or petty protest. In Luanda, similar expressions involving 'boca' are used to describe someone who is 'showy' or 'boastful' in their negativity. In Cape Verdean Creole-influenced Portuguese, 'boca' idioms are very rich, often relating to the power of words to cause harm.
Use with 'viver'
To sound very native, use it with the verb 'viver' (to live). 'Ele vive fazendo boca' means 'He is ALWAYS talking smack.'
Not for the dinner table
Telling a host 'Não faça boca' is very rude. Only use it with people you are very close to.
In 15 Seconds
- Means to talk trash or complain.
- Very informal, used for negative talk.
- Originates from folk wisdom about complaining.
- Avoid in formal situations or for praise.
What It Means
This phrase, fazer boca, is all about negativity. It means to talk trash, gossip, or complain excessively. It’s when someone is just spewing negativity, often about minor things. It carries a vibe of petty complaining or backbiting. It's like someone is opening their mouth to cause trouble or just vent annoyingly. It’s not serious critique; it’s more like idle, negative chatter.
Origin Story
The origin of fazer boca is a bit fuzzy, but it likely stems from folk wisdom and observation. Imagine a marketplace centuries ago. Vendors would loudly proclaim the virtues of their goods. If someone wasn't selling much, they might start complaining about competitors or the general market conditions. This constant chatter, this making a mouth to complain or criticize, became associated with negativity. It’s like the mouth is working overtime, but only to produce bad vibes. It's a colorful image, isn't it? A mouth just working overtime, but not for anything good!
How To Use It
You use fazer boca when someone is being a real downer. They might be complaining about their boss, their partner, or even the weather. Or they could be gossiping about a mutual friend. It’s about the *act* of complaining or talking negatively. You can say someone está fazendo boca (is talking trash) or não para de fazer boca (doesn't stop complaining). It’s a very common way to describe this kind of behavior. Just remember, it’s about the negative talk itself.
Real-Life Examples
- Your friend texts:
O João está fazendo boca de novo sobre o chefe dele.(João is trash-talking his boss again.) - You see a character on a telenovela complaining constantly:
Essa novela tem uma personagem que só faz boca.(This soap opera has a character who just complains all the time.) - Someone is whining about a small inconvenience:
Para de fazer boca, não é tão ruim assim!(Stop complaining, it’s not that bad!) - You hear coworkers gossiping:
Ouvi eles fazendo boca sobre a nova colega.(I heard them bad-mouthing the new colleague.) - Your mom complains about the price of groceries:
Minha mãe sempre faz boca quando vai ao supermercado.(My mom always complains when she goes to the supermarket.)
When To Use It
Use fazer boca when you want to describe someone who is complaining a lot. This could be about work, relationships, or anything really. It’s also perfect for describing gossip. If someone is spreading rumors or speaking ill of others, they are fazendo boca. It fits when the talk is negative and persistent. It's that constant stream of complaints you just can't ignore. Think of it as verbal whining. It’s also great for describing petty arguments or general negativity. It’s a very versatile phrase for negativity!
When NOT To Use It
Avoid fazer boca in formal settings. You wouldn't use it in a job interview or a serious business meeting. It’s also not for constructive criticism. If someone is offering helpful feedback, they aren't fazendo boca. Don't use it when someone is expressing genuine sadness or pain. This phrase implies pettiness or gossip, not deep emotional distress. It's also not for polite requests. You don't want to accidentally accuse someone of 'making mouth' when they're just asking for directions. That would be awkward!
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse fazer boca with simply talking. It’s more specific than just speaking. Another mistake is using it for positive talk. It's always about negativity.
Ele gosta de fazer boca sobre carros novos.
✓Ele gosta de falar sobre carros novos. (He likes to talk about new cars.)
A professora fez boca sobre o desempenho dos alunos.
✓A professora comentou sobre o desempenho dos alunos. (The teacher commented on the students' performance.)
It's important to remember the negative connotation. It's not just any talk; it's *bad* talk.
Similar Expressions
Reclamar: To complain. More general thanfazer boca.Fofocar: To gossip. Specifically about spreading rumors.Resmungar: To grumble or mutter. Often done quietly.Falar mal: To speak ill of. Very close synonym.
Fazer boca often combines aspects of complaining and speaking ill. It’s a bit of a do-it-all negativity phrase!
Memory Trick
Imagine someone with a huge, gaping mouth (boca) constantly spewing out little angry clouds. Each cloud represents a complaint or a piece of gossip. They are literally making a mouth full of negativity. The bigger the mouth opens, the more they are fazendo boca. It’s a silly image, but it sticks! Think of a grumpy cartoon character.
Quick FAQ
- What does
fazer bocamean?
It means to talk trash, gossip, or complain a lot. It’s about negative, often petty, talk.
- Is it formal or informal?
It's definitely informal, even slangy. You wouldn't use it in professional settings.
- Can it be used for constructive criticism?
No, absolutely not. Fazer boca is always negative and unproductive talk.
- Does it imply anger?
Not necessarily anger, but definitely annoyance, dissatisfaction, or a gossipy attitude. It's more about the negativity than the rage.
Usage Notes
This phrase is strictly informal and carries a negative connotation. It's used to describe petty complaints, gossip, or general trash-talking. Avoid using it in formal settings, professional contexts, or when referring to constructive criticism or praise, as it would be completely inappropriate.
Use with 'viver'
To sound very native, use it with the verb 'viver' (to live). 'Ele vive fazendo boca' means 'He is ALWAYS talking smack.'
Not for the dinner table
Telling a host 'Não faça boca' is very rude. Only use it with people you are very close to.
The 'Siri' contrast
Remember: 'Boca de siri' = Secret. 'Fazer boca' = Gossip. Don't mix them up or you'll tell someone to gossip when you want them to be quiet!
Examples
12Aquele estagiário vive fazendo boca sobre o chefe.
That intern is always trash-talking the boss.
Here, `vive fazendo boca` emphasizes the continuous nature of the complaining.
Essa participante só sabe fazer boca das outras competidoras.
This contestant only knows how to bad-mouth the other competitors.
Describes the act of speaking negatively about others in a competitive context.
O atendimento ao cliente foi péssimo, fiquei fazendo boca o caminho todo pra casa.
The customer service was terrible, I was complaining the whole way home.
Expresses prolonged dissatisfaction and verbal complaint after a bad experience.
Tentando ignorar quem só sabe fazer boca. ✌️ #goodvibesonly
Trying to ignore those who only know how to talk trash. ✌️ #goodvibesonly
Used dismissively on social media to label negative people.
Gente, para de fazer boca e resolve isso logo!
People, stop the drama and resolve this already!
A direct plea to stop complaining or gossiping and take action.
Ele não para de fazer boca sobre o novo projeto.
He won't stop complaining about the new project.
Highlights the persistent, nagging nature of the complaints.
Precisamos ter cuidado, ele costuma fazer boca sobre quem discorda dele.
We need to be careful, he tends to speak ill of anyone who disagrees with him.
Used in a slightly more serious context to warn about someone's negative habit.
✗ Ele fez muita boca sobre o seu trabalho. → ✓ Ele elogiou muito o seu trabalho.
✗ He talked trash a lot about your work. → ✓ He praised your work a lot.
Incorrectly used for positive feedback; `fazer boca` is always negative.
✗ Nós ficamos fazendo boca por horas. → ✓ Nós ficamos conversando por horas.
✗ We were talking trash for hours. → ✓ We were chatting for hours.
Overused for simple conversation; `fazer boca` requires a negative or gossipy element.
Meu cachorro faz boca quando quer mais comida.
My dog makes noises/complains when he wants more food.
A lighthearted, slightly anthropomorphic use for a pet's 'complaining' sounds.
Ouvi dizer que ela está fazendo boca sobre a promoção dele.
I heard she's gossiping about his promotion.
Clearly indicates spreading rumors or speaking negatively behind someone's back.
Cansei de você fazendo boca o tempo todo, resolva seus problemas!
I'm tired of you complaining all the time, solve your own problems!
Directly confronts someone about their constant negativity.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'fazer boca'.
Eu não aguento mais a vizinha ______ de todo mundo no prédio.
The continuous form 'fazendo boca' is used here to describe an ongoing annoying habit.
Which situation best fits the use of 'fazer boca'?
Choose the correct context:
'Fazer boca' is for petty, negative complaining.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'O que você achou do novo colega?' B: 'Ele parece legal, mas já ouvi gente _______ dele.'
'Fazendo boca' fits the context of gossiping about a new colleague.
Match the phrase to the intent.
Match 'Não faça boca da minha irmã' with its meaning:
The phrase is a defense against gossip.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu não aguento mais a vizinha ______ de todo mundo no prédio.
The continuous form 'fazendo boca' is used here to describe an ongoing annoying habit.
Choose the correct context:
'Fazer boca' is for petty, negative complaining.
A: 'O que você achou do novo colega?' B: 'Ele parece legal, mas já ouvi gente _______ dele.'
'Fazendo boca' fits the context of gossiping about a new colleague.
Match 'Não faça boca da minha irmã' with its meaning:
The phrase is a defense against gossip.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsAlmost. 'Fofocar' is specifically to gossip. 'Fazer boca' is broader—it includes gossiping but also general petty complaining and grumbling.
Yes, in its literal sense. 'O bebê está fazendo boca de choro' means the baby is about to cry.
It's not a swear word, but it is dismissive. It tells the person their talking is annoying and unimportant.
'Fazer boca' works, but 'provocar' or 'falar bobagem' are also common.
Related Phrases
falar pelas costas
synonymTo talk behind someone's back
fazer bico
similarTo pout
fazer boca de siri
contrastTo keep a secret
dar com a língua nos dentes
similarTo let a secret slip
falar da boca para fora
builds onTo say something without meaning it
