In 15 Seconds
- Use it to confirm logic or understanding in any situation.
- Works exactly like 'to make sense' but uses 'fazer' (to do).
- Perfect for meetings, casual chats, and clarifying confusing moments.
Meaning
This phrase is used exactly like 'to make sense' in English. Use it when an idea is logical or when something finally clicks in your head.
Key Examples
3 of 6Confirming a plan with a friend
A gente se encontra às oito, faz sentido?
We meet at eight, does that make sense?
In a business meeting
Essa estratégia faz muito sentido para a empresa.
This strategy makes a lot of sense for the company.
Confused by a movie plot
O final do filme não fez sentido nenhum.
The end of the movie made no sense at all.
Cultural Background
Brazilians often add 'todo' for emphasis.
Emphasis
Use 'todo' to sound more natural.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to confirm logic or understanding in any situation.
- Works exactly like 'to make sense' but uses 'fazer' (to do).
- Perfect for meetings, casual chats, and clarifying confusing moments.
What It Means
Fazer sentido is your go-to tool for logic. It describes things that are coherent or reasonable. Think of it as the 'lightbulb moment' phrase. If a plan works, it faz sentido. If a story is confusing, it não faz sentido.
How To Use It
You use the verb fazer (to do/make). It changes based on time. Use faz sentido for the present. Use fez sentido for the past. It is very simple to plug into sentences. You can use it alone as a question: Faz sentido? This means 'Does that make sense?' It is perfect for checking if people understand you.
When To Use It
Use it everywhere. Use it at work during a presentation. Use it when texting a friend about a weird dream. Use it at a restaurant when the bill looks wrong. It is one of the most versatile phrases in Portuguese. It helps you sound smart and engaged in conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for physical feelings. If you want to say you 'feel' cold, don't use sentido. That is for logic, not skin temperature. Also, avoid it for deep emotional 'meaning' in a poetic way. For the 'meaning of life,' we usually use the word significado instead.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers value clear communication. We often use this phrase to be polite. Instead of saying 'You are wrong,' we say 'That doesn't make sense.' It feels less like an attack and more like a logical observation. It is a very 'safe' phrase in Brazilian and European Portuguese.
Common Variations
You will often hear não faz sentido nenhum. This means 'it makes no sense at all.' It adds a bit of drama. Another common one is isso faz todo o sentido. This means 'that makes perfect sense.' Use this when you want to agree strongly with someone. It makes you sound very supportive!
Usage Notes
This is a neutral collocation suitable for all levels of formality. It is extremely common in both spoken and written Portuguese.
Emphasis
Use 'todo' to sound more natural.
Examples
6A gente se encontra às oito, faz sentido?
We meet at eight, does that make sense?
A casual way to check if the time works for everyone.
Essa estratégia faz muito sentido para a empresa.
This strategy makes a lot of sense for the company.
Shows professional agreement with a proposal.
O final do filme não fez sentido nenhum.
The end of the movie made no sense at all.
Expressing frustration or confusion about a story.
Nada do que ele disse faz sentido.
Nothing he said makes sense.
Commonly used in gossip or venting to friends.
Agora tudo faz sentido!
Now everything makes sense!
The classic 'aha!' moment when a mystery is solved.
Comer pizza no café da manhã faz sentido na minha cabeça.
Eating pizza for breakfast makes sense in my head.
A humorous way to justify something silly.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence.
A explicação dele ______ sentido.
The standard collocation is 'fazer sentido'.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
1 exercisesA explicação dele ______ sentido.
The standard collocation is 'fazer sentido'.
🎉 Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsYes, it is a valid synonym.
Related Phrases
ter sentido
synonymto have sense
