In 15 Seconds
- Used when workers stop working to demand better conditions or pay.
- Uses the verb 'fazer' (to make) instead of 'go' or 'be'.
- Can be used humorously for broken appliances or tired body parts.
Meaning
This phrase literally means 'to make a strike.' You use it when workers stop working to demand better conditions, or humorously when something stops functioning.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing transport delays
Os motoristas de autocarro decidiram fazer greve amanhã.
The bus drivers decided to go on strike tomorrow.
Complaining about a broken printer
A minha impressora resolveu fazer greve outra vez!
My printer decided to go on strike again!
Explaining a news headline
Os médicos vão fazer greve por melhores salários.
The doctors are going to strike for better salaries.
Cultural Background
Strikes are a major part of Brazilian political identity. The 2018 'Greve dos Caminhoneiros' (Truckers' Strike) is a recent example that showed how a strike can completely halt the nation's economy. In Portugal, the right to strike is protected by the Constitution. It is very common to see 'greves' in the public transport sector in Lisbon and Porto. In Angola, strikes are often related to the cost of living and oil prices. They are significant events that draw international attention. Strikes in Mozambique often occur in the health and education sectors, reflecting the country's ongoing development challenges.
Use it for humor
Don't be afraid to use 'fazer greve' for broken objects. It makes you sound very natural and fluent.
Conjugation is key
Since 'fazer' is irregular, practice the past tense 'fizeram' as it's the most common form in news reports.
In 15 Seconds
- Used when workers stop working to demand better conditions or pay.
- Uses the verb 'fazer' (to make) instead of 'go' or 'be'.
- Can be used humorously for broken appliances or tired body parts.
What It Means
Fazer greve is the standard way to say someone is going on strike. In Portuguese, you don't 'go' on strike, you 'make' it. It implies a collective action by workers. It is a powerful tool for social change in Lusophone countries. You will see this on the news constantly. It is also used jokingly for inanimate objects. If your coffee machine breaks, it is 'on strike.'
How To Use It
The verb fazer conjugates normally according to the subject. You can say os professores fazem greve for a general statement. Use the past tense fizeram greve for completed actions. If you want to say 'to be on strike,' use estar em greve. Fazer focuses on the act of starting or performing the protest. It is a very versatile collocation for your vocabulary.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing labor rights or news events. It is perfect for explaining why the train is late. You can use it at the office or with friends. It is common in academic or political discussions too. Use it when your body feels tired and 'refuses' to move. It adds a bit of personality to your descriptions of failure.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for a simple 'quit' or 'resignation.' It implies a protest, not a permanent departure. Avoid using it for a person who is just being lazy. That would be preguiça, not a greve. It is not used for sports 'strikes' (like in baseball). For that, the terminology is completely different. Keep it focused on labor or metaphorical 'stoppages.'
Cultural Background
Strikes are a deeply rooted part of Portuguese and Brazilian culture. They are seen as a fundamental democratic right. In Portugal, the 'Greve Geral' (General Strike) is a major event. It often shuts down entire cities and transport networks. People generally respect the 'direito à greve' (right to strike). It reflects a history of fighting for labor rights after dictatorships. It is a serious topic, but also a daily reality.
Common Variations
You might hear greve de zelo, which is a 'work-to-rule' strike. This is when workers do only the bare minimum required. There is also the greve de fome, meaning a hunger strike. If a strike is illegal, it is called a greve selvagem (wildcat strike). You can also use entrar em greve to mean 'to enter into a strike.' These variations help you navigate different levels of social protest.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and appropriate for all settings. The main 'gotcha' is remembering to use the verb `fazer` instead of translating 'go' from English.
Use it for humor
Don't be afraid to use 'fazer greve' for broken objects. It makes you sound very natural and fluent.
Conjugation is key
Since 'fazer' is irregular, practice the past tense 'fizeram' as it's the most common form in news reports.
Solidarity
In many Lusophone countries, saying you support a 'greve' is a strong political statement.
Examples
6Os motoristas de autocarro decidiram fazer greve amanhã.
The bus drivers decided to go on strike tomorrow.
A very common real-world scenario in Lisbon or Porto.
A minha impressora resolveu fazer greve outra vez!
My printer decided to go on strike again!
Using the phrase humorously for a machine that won't work.
Os médicos vão fazer greve por melhores salários.
The doctors are going to strike for better salaries.
Standard usage in a serious social context.
O meu corpo fez greve, hoje não saio do sofá.
My body went on strike; I'm not leaving the couch today.
Metaphorical use to describe extreme exhaustion.
Eles fizeram greve durante três semanas em 1974.
They went on strike for three weeks in 1974.
Using the past tense to describe a historical protest.
O miúdo fez greve de fome ao jantar.
The kid went on a hunger strike at dinner.
A hyperbolic, slightly funny way to describe a picky eater.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'fazer greve' in the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito).
No mês passado, os bancários __________ por duas semanas.
'No mês passado' indicates a completed action in the past, requiring the Pretérito Perfeito 'fizeram'.
Which sentence uses 'fazer greve' in a humorous, figurative way?
Escolha a opção correta:
This sentence personifies the stomach to express hunger, which is a figurative use.
Match the type of strike with its meaning.
Relacione as colunas:
These are common collocations involving 'greve'.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Você vai trabalhar amanhã? B: Não, a minha categoria decidiu __________.
'Fazer greve' is the most natural collocation in this context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesNo mês passado, os bancários __________ por duas semanas.
'No mês passado' indicates a completed action in the past, requiring the Pretérito Perfeito 'fizeram'.
Escolha a opção correta:
This sentence personifies the stomach to express hunger, which is a figurative use.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common collocations involving 'greve'.
A: Você vai trabalhar amanhã? B: Não, a minha categoria decidiu __________.
'Fazer greve' is the most natural collocation in this context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, but 'fazer greve' (without the article) is more common when talking about the general act of striking.
No, it's a neutral term for a legal right, though the topic itself can be politically sensitive.
It's a hunger strike, where someone refuses to eat as a form of protest.
You use 'estar em greve'. Example: 'Eles estão em greve há três dias.'
Yes, figuratively! It's a common way to say something broke down unexpectedly.
Related Phrases
entrar em greve
similarTo begin a strike
cruzar os braços
synonymTo stop working (literally 'to cross arms')
fazer boicote
similarTo boycott
fazer bico
contrastTo do a side job / to pout
