In 15 Seconds
- Means messing up unfairly or badly.
- Implies unethical actions or major blunders.
- Used to accuse someone of foul play.
- Avoid for minor accidents or formal talk.
Meaning
This Portuguese idiom, `fazer sujeira`, literally means 'to make dirt'. But in reality, it's all about creating a mess, not with physical dirt, but with a situation. It implies you've acted unfairly, unethically, or just poorly handled things, leaving a mess for others to clean up. Think of it as playing dirty or messing up badly.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about a failed group project
Aquele colega `fez sujeira` no nosso trabalho em grupo, não fez nada!
That colleague really messed things up in our group project, he did nothing!
Discussing a sports match
O jogador foi expulso porque `fez sujeira` com o outro atleta.
The player was sent off because he played dirty with the other athlete.
Complaining about a bad online purchase
A descrição do produto `fez sujeira`, o item é totalmente diferente do que eu esperava.
The product description was misleading/a rip-off; the item is totally different from what I expected.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'fazer sujeira' is a staple of political commentary. It often refers to 'caixa dois' (illegal campaign funds) or character assassination. In Portugal, the phrase can also imply doing a job very poorly or without care, almost like 'shoddy workmanship'. In Luanda, 'fazer sujeira' can sometimes be used in slang to mean 'causing a scene' or 'making a big problem' in a social gathering. In the 'Faria Lima' (financial district) culture, 'fazer sujeira' is a serious accusation that can end partnerships, as trust is the main currency.
Use it for gossip
This is a great phrase for office or social gossip. 'Você não sabe a sujeira que ele fez!' is a perfect hook.
Don't use with your boss
Even if your boss is cool, calling a business move 'sujeira' might sound too informal or aggressive. Stick to 'falta de ética'.
In 15 Seconds
- Means messing up unfairly or badly.
- Implies unethical actions or major blunders.
- Used to accuse someone of foul play.
- Avoid for minor accidents or formal talk.
What It Means
This phrase, fazer sujeira, is a colorful way to say someone has messed things up. It's not about spilling your coffee, though that's a mess! It's about creating a complicated, unfair, or unpleasant situation, often through dishonest or clumsy actions. You might fazer sujeira in a game, in a relationship, or even at work. It carries a negative vibe, suggesting a lack of integrity or competence. It’s like leaving a trail of chaos behind you. Did you cheat on a test? You fez sujeira. Did you spread gossip that hurt someone? You fez sujeira. It's a strong accusation of wrongdoing.
Origin Story
The exact origin is a bit murky, like a muddy puddle! But the imagery is powerful. Think about ancient marketplaces or even modern sports. When someone cheats or acts unfairly, they 'make dirt' in the game. They muddy the waters, making it hard for honest players to compete. It’s a folk expression, born from observing how unfairness can corrupt a situation. Imagine a farmer's market where one vendor secretly sabotages another's stall – that's fazer sujeira. It’s about spoiling the clean slate or the fair competition. It’s a very visceral image, isn't it? Like kicking dirt into someone's clean laundry.
How To Use It
You use fazer sujeira when someone has behaved badly. This could be cheating, lying, or just being incredibly incompetent. It’s often used to express disappointment or anger. You can use it to describe a past event or accuse someone in the present. It fits when the outcome is negative and unfair. It's a versatile phrase for describing various forms of 'messing up'. Think of it as a verbal accusation of foul play. It's a bit like calling someone out. Did your friend betray your trust? They fizeram sujeira.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine a group project where one person did nothing. They fizeram sujeira for everyone else. Or consider a political scandal where someone acted corruptly. They definitely fizeram sujeira. In a football match, if a player intentionally fouls another to injure them, that's fazer sujeira. It applies to small personal betrayals too. If your roommate ate your special birthday cake, they fizeram sujeira! It's about spoiling something good or fair.
When To Use It
Use fazer sujeira when you want to strongly criticize someone's actions. It's perfect for situations involving deceit, unfairness, or significant blunders. Think of betrayals, cheating scandals, or major professional screw-ups. It’s great for expressing your frustration when someone has ruined a plan or damaged a relationship. It’s also used when someone is deliberately trying to cause trouble. If someone is spreading rumors to ruin your reputation, they are fazendo sujeira.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use fazer sujeira for minor accidents. Spilling a drink or forgetting a birthday isn't usually fazer sujeira. It implies intent or at least gross negligence. It's too strong for simple mistakes. Avoid using it in very formal settings unless you're reporting serious misconduct. It’s not appropriate for situations where you want to be diplomatic. You wouldn't tell your boss they fizeram sujeira after a minor project delay, unless it was truly egregious.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using it for accidental messes. Forgetting to lock the door isn't fazer sujeira. Another error is using it in overly formal contexts where it sounds out of place. Also, learners sometimes confuse it with simply 'making a mess' physically. Remember, it's about the unfairness or ethical breach.
Eu fiz sujeira no chão.
✓Eu derramei algo no chão. (This is just a mess, not unfairness.)
Ele fez sujeira na reunião. (If he just spoke too much)
✓Ele monopolizou a conversa na reunião. (More accurate for over-talking)
Similar Expressions
Other ways to express similar ideas include passar a perna (to trick someone, to pull a fast one), jogar sujo (to play dirty, very close synonym), atrapalhar (to hinder, to mess up someone's plans), and estragar (to spoil, to ruin). Jogar sujo is almost identical in meaning and tone. Passar a perna focuses more on trickery for personal gain. Atrapalhar is more about hindering progress.
Memory Trick
Picture a pristine white carpet. Now imagine someone walking all over it with muddy boots. That's fazer sujeira! They've intentionally ruined something clean and good. The 'dirt' is the unfairness or the mess they've created. Muddy boots on a white carpet – that’s the image to remember. It’s about leaving a stain, a mark of bad behavior.
Quick FAQ
Q. Is it always about cheating?
A. Not always, but it strongly implies unfairness or unethical behavior. It can also mean making a huge, avoidable blunder.
Q. Can I use it for myself?
A. Yes, if you admit you messed up badly or acted unfairly. 'Eu fiz sujeira dessa vez.' (I really messed up this time.)
Usage Notes
This is a highly informal idiom, best reserved for casual conversations among friends or family. Using it in formal settings or with strangers could be perceived as overly blunt or even rude. Be mindful that it implies a strong accusation of unfairness or unethical behavior, so use it when you genuinely mean someone has acted badly.
Use it for gossip
This is a great phrase for office or social gossip. 'Você não sabe a sujeira que ele fez!' is a perfect hook.
Don't use with your boss
Even if your boss is cool, calling a business move 'sujeira' might sound too informal or aggressive. Stick to 'falta de ética'.
The 'Que sujeira!' exclamation
You can use 'Que sujeira!' as a standalone reaction when someone tells you about a betrayal. It shows you empathize with the victim.
Examples
12Aquele colega `fez sujeira` no nosso trabalho em grupo, não fez nada!
That colleague really messed things up in our group project, he did nothing!
Here, 'fez sujeira' emphasizes the unfairness and lack of contribution from the colleague, creating a bad situation for others.
O jogador foi expulso porque `fez sujeira` com o outro atleta.
The player was sent off because he played dirty with the other athlete.
This highlights the 'playing dirty' aspect, implying an intentional foul or unfair tactic.
A descrição do produto `fez sujeira`, o item é totalmente diferente do que eu esperava.
The product description was misleading/a rip-off; the item is totally different from what I expected.
Here, 'fez sujeira' implies the seller acted unfairly or deceptively, creating a bad outcome for the buyer.
Nunca pensei que você `faria sujeira` comigo assim. Que decepção. 😔
I never thought you'd betray me like this. What a disappointment. 😔
Used emotionally to express deep hurt from a friend's unfair actions.
Esses caras `fazem sujeira` com o dinheiro das pessoas! Precisamos denunciar.
These guys scam people out of their money! We need to report them.
A common way to describe scammers or fraudulent schemes online.
O candidato `fez sujeira` na entrevista anterior, mentindo sobre suas qualificações.
The candidate behaved unethically in the previous interview, lying about his qualifications.
Used in a professional context to describe serious misconduct or dishonesty.
A investigação revelou que o gerente `fez sujeira` ao desviar fundos da empresa.
The investigation revealed that the manager acted improperly by embezzling company funds.
While informal, it can be used in reports to describe serious wrongdoing clearly.
Eu tentei fazer um bolo sofisticado, mas `fiz sujeira` e a cozinha virou um desastre!
I tried to make a fancy cake, but I made a mess and the kitchen turned into a disaster!
Used humorously here, exaggerating a clumsy mistake to mean a physical mess, slightly bending the usual meaning.
✗ `Eu fiz sujeira no tapete quando derramei o vinho.` → ✓ `Eu derramei vinho no tapete.`
✗ I made a mess on the carpet when I spilled the wine. → ✓ I spilled wine on the carpet.
This phrase implies unfairness or deliberate wrongdoing, not just a simple spill.
✗ `O político fez sujeira ao aceitar o suborno.` → ✓ `O político agiu de forma corrupta ao aceitar o suborno.`
✗ The politician made a mess by accepting the bribe. → ✓ The politician acted corruptly by accepting the bribe.
While the meaning is similar, 'fez sujeira' is too informal for reporting serious corruption in a formal document.
Ele não pode simplesmente mudar as regras no meio do jogo, isso é `fazer sujeira`!
He can't just change the rules mid-game, that's playing dirty!
Emphasizes the unfair rule-bending in a game context.
Sinto que você `fez sujeira` ao esconder a verdade de mim.
I feel like you wronged me by hiding the truth from me.
Highlights the breach of trust and unfairness in a personal relationship.
Test Yourself
Preencha a lacuna com a forma correta do verbo 'fazer'.
Eu não acredito que ele ______ sujeira com o próprio irmão para ganhar dinheiro.
The sentence describes a completed past action of betrayal, so the preterite 'fez' is the most natural fit.
Qual é o significado figurado de 'fazer sujeira' nesta frase?
Aquele candidato fez sujeira durante toda a campanha.
In a political campaign context, 'fazer sujeira' refers to unethical behavior and dirty tactics.
Complete o diálogo com a opção mais natural.
A: 'O que aconteceu no trabalho?' B: 'O Paulo contou pro chefe um erro que eu cometi em segredo.' A: 'Nossa, ________!'
'Que sujeira!' is a common exclamation used to react to someone else's unethical or 'dirty' behavior.
Combine a situação com a frase correta.
Situação: Um jogador de futebol finge que foi empurrado para ganhar um pênalti.
Faking a foul is a classic example of 'fazer sujeira' in sports.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Clean vs. Dirty Actions
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu não acredito que ele ______ sujeira com o próprio irmão para ganhar dinheiro.
The sentence describes a completed past action of betrayal, so the preterite 'fez' is the most natural fit.
Aquele candidato fez sujeira durante toda a campanha.
In a political campaign context, 'fazer sujeira' refers to unethical behavior and dirty tactics.
A: 'O que aconteceu no trabalho?' B: 'O Paulo contou pro chefe um erro que eu cometi em segredo.' A: 'Nossa, ________!'
'Que sujeira!' is a common exclamation used to react to someone else's unethical or 'dirty' behavior.
Situação: Um jogador de futebol finge que foi empurrado para ganhar um pênalti.
Faking a foul is a classic example of 'fazer sujeira' in sports.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's not a swear word, but it is a strong accusation of dishonesty. Use it when you are genuinely disappointed or critical.
Yes, literally it means 'to make a mess'. But if you say it with an angry tone, people might look for a hidden meaning.
'Jogar sujo' is more about the process of cheating in a game/competition. 'Fazer sujeira' is broader and can include any kind of betrayal or unethical act.
You say 'Ele fez sujeira comigo'. Remember to use 'comigo' (with me).
Yes, but it's slightly more common in Brazil. In Portugal, you might also hear 'fazer uma porcaria'.
No, it's too informal. Use 'conduta inadequada' or 'falta de profissionalismo'.
You can call them 'sujo' (dirty) or 'mau-caráter' (bad character).
Usually, it's for things that involve a breach of trust. For small mistakes, use 'pisar na bola'.
Unlike the French equivalent, in Portuguese it is almost never used in a sexual context unless specifically qualified.
'Jogar limpo' (to play clean) or 'ser honesto'.
Related Phrases
jogar sujo
synonymTo play dirty.
pisar na bola
similarTo mess up / to let someone down.
agir de má-fé
formal equivalentTo act in bad faith.
lavar as mãos
contrastTo wash one's hands of something.
