Meaning
To trick or deceive someone, causing them to look foolish.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Malandragem' is central here. A 'Malandro' is someone who avoids being 'feito de bobo' at all costs by being street-smart. In Portugal, 'fazer de parvo' is often preferred over 'bobo', though both are understood. It is used with a high degree of directness in arguments. The phrase is used similarly to Brazil, often in the context of social justice or complaining about bureaucratic hurdles. On Brazilian Twitter/X, the phrase 'me fazendo de boba' is a popular meme used when someone knows they are being lied to but chooses to watch the person continue lying for entertainment.
Gender Agreement
Always remember to change 'bobo' to 'boba' if the person being tricked is female. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.
Aggression Level
Using this phrase can be seen as a direct confrontation. Use it only when you are prepared for a possible argument.
Meaning
To trick or deceive someone, causing them to look foolish.
Gender Agreement
Always remember to change 'bobo' to 'boba' if the person being tricked is female. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.
Aggression Level
Using this phrase can be seen as a direct confrontation. Use it only when you are prepared for a possible argument.
The Reflexive Trick
Master 'se fazer de bobo' (playing dumb). It is a very useful social skill in Brazil to avoid unwanted responsibilities or awkward questions.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Eu não acredito que ele mentiu para mim. Ele me _______ de ______.
Assuming the speaker is male, 'fez de bobo' is the correct past tense form.
Which sentence uses the reflexive form correctly to mean 'playing dumb'?
How do you say 'He played dumb to avoid the question'?
'Se fazer de bobo' is the reflexive form meaning to pretend to be ignorant.
Choose the best response for the situation.
Vendedor: 'Este relógio custa 5.000 reais porque pertenceu ao Dom Pedro I.' Cliente: 'Dom Pedro I? Esse relógio é digital! _________'
The customer is accusing the seller of trying to trick them.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesEu não acredito que ele mentiu para mim. Ele me _______ de ______.
Assuming the speaker is male, 'fez de bobo' is the correct past tense form.
How do you say 'He played dumb to avoid the question'?
'Se fazer de bobo' is the reflexive form meaning to pretend to be ignorant.
Vendedor: 'Este relógio custa 5.000 reais porque pertenceu ao Dom Pedro I.' Cliente: 'Dom Pedro I? Esse relógio é digital! _________'
The customer is accusing the seller of trying to trick them.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt's not a 'bad word', but it is an accusation of lying. It can be offensive depending on your tone and who you are talking to.
Only if you have a very close relationship or if you are resigning. It's quite informal and confrontational for a standard office environment.
'Bobo' is like 'silly' or 'foolish'. 'Otário' is much stronger, like 'sucker' or 'loser'. 'Fazer de otário' is much more insulting.
You say 'Não me faça de bobo' (to a man) or 'Não me faça de boba' (to a woman).
Related Phrases
Fazer de palhaço
synonymTo make a clown of someone.
Passar a perna
similarTo trip someone up / To swindle.
Enganar
synonymTo deceive.
Tirar onda
contrastTo mock or show off.
