Meaning
To differentiate between two or more things; to point out a difference.
Cultural Background
In Brazilian legal culture, 'fazer distinção' is a phrase often used in constitutional debates regarding equality (Artigo 5º). It carries a heavy weight of social justice. Portuguese academic culture, especially in Coimbra, values the precision of 'fazer uma distinção' as a sign of high-level rhetoric and intellectual discipline. In Angolan administrative contexts, the phrase is used to clarify bureaucratic procedures inherited from the Portuguese system. Used in formal education and news media to discuss social and economic categories in a developing nation context.
Use Adjectives
To sound like a C1 speaker, always pair 'distinção' with an adjective like 'clara', 'nítida', or 'fundamental'.
Avoid in Slang
Never use this phrase in a very casual setting; it will make you sound like you're giving a lecture.
Meaning
To differentiate between two or more things; to point out a difference.
Use Adjectives
To sound like a C1 speaker, always pair 'distinção' with an adjective like 'clara', 'nítida', or 'fundamental'.
Avoid in Slang
Never use this phrase in a very casual setting; it will make you sound like you're giving a lecture.
Negative Usage
In social contexts, 'não fazer distinção' is a high compliment, meaning someone is fair and treats everyone equally.
Test Yourself
Preencha a lacuna com a forma correta do verbo 'fazer'.
Ontem, o diretor _______ uma distinção clara entre as duas propostas.
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past ('Ontem'), so the preterite 'fez' is required.
Qual preposição é usada corretamente com 'fazer uma distinção'?
É difícil fazer uma distinção _______ o certo e o errado nesta situação.
'Entre' is the standard preposition used to separate two items being compared.
Combine o adjetivo com o tipo de distinção que ele descreve.
Combine: 1. Sutil, 2. Nítida, 3. Jurídica
Sutil = subtle (hard to notice); Nítida = clear/sharp; Jurídica = legal.
Complete o diálogo de forma formal.
A: 'Você acha que todos os crimes são iguais?' B: 'Não, eu gostaria de _______ uma distinção entre crimes culposos e dolosos.'
'Fazer uma distinção' is the correct collocation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesOntem, o diretor _______ uma distinção clara entre as duas propostas.
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past ('Ontem'), so the preterite 'fez' is required.
É difícil fazer uma distinção _______ o certo e o errado nesta situação.
'Entre' is the standard preposition used to separate two items being compared.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Sutil = subtle (hard to notice); Nítida = clear/sharp; Jurídica = legal.
A: 'Você acha que todos os crimes são iguais?' B: 'Não, eu gostaria de _______ uma distinção entre crimes culposos e dolosos.'
'Fazer uma distinção' is the correct collocation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsTechnically yes, but it sounds too formal. Use 'ver a diferença' instead.
Both are correct. 'Uma' makes it slightly more specific to a single instance.
The opposite would be 'generalizar' (to generalize) or 'confundir' (to confuse/mix up).
Yes, it is very common in formal European Portuguese, often as 'fazer a distinção'.
Only in the sense of 'distinção de pessoas' (discrimination). Otherwise, use 'entre'.
No, that would be 'ter distinção' or 'ser uma pessoa distinta', though they share a root.
Yes, constantly, to separate market segments or product features.
Yes: 'O autor faz várias distinções ao longo do livro.'
Yes, 'fazer uma distinção' is more rhetorical and common in high-level writing.
You can say 'traçar uma linha' or 'fazer uma distinção'.
Yes, it's a nasal sound. Try saying 'sow' through your nose.
Yes, it's highly recommended to show professional vocabulary.
'Clara' (clear) is by far the most common.
Rarely, as it's quite formal, but it appears in some 'MPB' (Brazilian Popular Music) lyrics with intellectual themes.
Related Phrases
Diferenciar
synonymTo differentiate
Discriminar
similarTo discriminate or distinguish
Pôr de parte
contrastTo set aside
Estabelecer um paralelo
builds onTo draw a parallel
Ver a diferença
specialized formTo see the difference
