Meaning
To prepare a cake by baking it.
Cultural Background
The 'Bolo de Cenoura' (carrot cake) in Brazil is unique because it is blended (the carrots are liquefied) and always topped with a hard chocolate glaze (calda de chocolate). The 'Bolo de Arroz' is a traditional rice flour cake found in almost every 'pastelaria'. It is usually wrapped in a characteristic paper ring. The 'Bolo de Fubá' (cornmeal cake) is a symbol of rural hospitality and is almost always served with fresh coffee. Cakes often incorporate local ingredients like 'múcua' (baobab fruit) or coconut, reflecting the tropical climate.
The 'De' Rule
Always use 'de' to specify the flavor: bolo de chocolate, bolo de laranja, bolo de milho.
Avoid 'Cozinhar'
Using 'cozinhar' for a cake is a dead giveaway that you are translating literally from English.
Meaning
To prepare a cake by baking it.
The 'De' Rule
Always use 'de' to specify the flavor: bolo de chocolate, bolo de laranja, bolo de milho.
Avoid 'Cozinhar'
Using 'cozinhar' for a cake is a dead giveaway that you are translating literally from English.
Diminutives
Use 'bolinho' to sound more like a native when offering a snack to a friend.
The Gift of Cake
In Brazil, bringing a homemade cake to a new neighbor is a perfect way to introduce yourself.
Test Yourself
Complete with the correct form of the verb 'fazer' in the present tense.
Eu ______ um bolo de chocolate para o meu irmão.
The first person singular (Eu) of 'fazer' is 'faço'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the most natural way to say 'She is baking a cake'.
'Fazer' is the correct verb, and 'bolo' is masculine, so it takes 'um'.
Match the Portuguese phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are basic verb-noun collocations in Portuguese.
Complete the dialogue.
A: O que você vai fazer no sábado? B: Eu vou ______ um bolo de cenoura.
After the auxiliary 'vou', we use the infinitive 'fazer'.
Which situation matches the phrase 'Eu fiz um bolo'?
Select the correct context.
'Eu fiz' is the past tense, indicating you have completed the baking.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Fazer vs. Assar
Practice Bank
5 exercisesEu ______ um bolo de chocolate para o meu irmão.
The first person singular (Eu) of 'fazer' is 'faço'.
Choose the most natural way to say 'She is baking a cake'.
'Fazer' is the correct verb, and 'bolo' is masculine, so it takes 'um'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are basic verb-noun collocations in Portuguese.
A: O que você vai fazer no sábado? B: Eu vou ______ um bolo de cenoura.
After the auxiliary 'vou', we use the infinitive 'fazer'.
Select the correct context.
'Eu fiz' is the past tense, indicating you have completed the baking.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is correct and slightly more formal than 'fazer'.
It is masculine: 'o bolo', 'um bolo'.
You can say 'Eu fiz um bolo' (most common) or 'Eu assei um bolo' (specific to the oven).
It's a mug cake made in the microwave.
No, that is 'dar um bolo'.
Yes, very. Remember 'eu faço' and 'eu fiz'.
Usually, we say 'fazer cupcakes' or 'fazer bolinhos'.
Bolo de cenoura with chocolate topping is a top contender.
Eu gosto de fazer bolos.
Yes, it is the standard phrase in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Related Phrases
bater um bolo
similarTo beat/mix a cake
assar um bolo
specialized formTo bake a cake
comer um bolo
builds onTo eat a cake
encomendar um bolo
contrastTo order a cake
dar um bolo
similarTo stand someone up
bolo de caneca
specialized formMug cake
