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B1 noun 12 min read

face a

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips face a in 30 Seconds

Explanation face a in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn words for physical locations. While 'face a' is a bit advanced, you can think of it as a cousin to 'em frente de' (in front of). At this stage, you don't need to use 'face a' yourself, but you might see it in simple signs or very basic news headlines. Think of it as 'looking at' something. If you are 'face a' a problem, you are looking at the problem. For now, focus on the word 'face' which means 'face' (the part of your body). Just knowing that 'face' relates to 'facing' something will help you later when you reach higher levels. Don't worry about the grammar rules yet, just recognize the word when you see it in a text.

At the A2 level, you start to use more connectors to link your ideas. You might begin to see 'face a' in simple newspaper articles or formal announcements. It is helpful to know that it means 'considering' or 'given'. For example, if a teacher says 'Face ao tempo, vamos entrar,' they mean 'Given the weather, let's go inside.' At this level, you should try to notice when 'face' is used as a body part and when it is used in this phrase. You might also encounter 'fazer face a' in simple contexts about money, like 'fazer face às despesas' (to pay the bills). Start practicing the sound of the phrase and notice how it sounds like 'fah-seh ah'.

B1 is the level where 'face a' becomes a very useful tool for you. At this intermediate stage, you are expected to give reasons for your opinions and explain your plans. 'Face a' helps you do this elegantly. Instead of always saying 'porque' (because), you can use 'face ao' or 'face à' to show what situation you are responding to. This is the level where you must master the contractions: face + o = face ao, face + a = face à. You will use it in professional emails, school essays, and more serious conversations. It helps you sound more mature and logical. You should also be able to distinguish it from 'em frente a' (physical location).

At B2, you should use 'face a' naturally in both speaking and writing. You are expected to handle complex arguments, and this phrase is perfect for introducing the context of an argument. You should also be comfortable with the verbal phrase 'fazer face a' to describe overcoming obstacles or managing resources. At this level, you should understand the subtle difference between 'face a' and 'perante' or 'diante de'. You will likely encounter this phrase in literature, technical reports, and political debates. Your goal is to use it to create a smooth flow between a problem and its consequence or solution.

For C1 learners, 'face a' is a standard part of your academic and professional repertoire. You should be able to use it in highly formal contexts, such as legal writing or high-level business negotiations. You will notice it used to justify complex policy changes or to analyze social trends. At this level, you should also be aware of its more obscure uses or its appearance in historical texts. You should be able to use it with abstract concepts with high precision, ensuring that the crase is always correct. You are expected to understand the rhetorical weight the phrase carries—how it frames a situation as an unavoidable reality that requires a specific response.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'face a'. you understand its nuances in different dialects of Portuguese (European vs. Brazilian) and its role in stylistics. You can use it to create specific rhetorical effects in your writing, perhaps choosing it over 'perante' to emphasize the 'confrontational' aspect of a situation. You will encounter it in the most complex philosophical, legal, and poetic texts. You should be able to explain its grammatical evolution and its relationship to other prepositional locutions. At this level, the phrase is not just a tool for meaning, but a tool for style and precision in the highest forms of Portuguese expression.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

face a in 30 Seconds

A formal way to say 'given' or 'in the face of' in Portuguese, used to link a situation to a reaction.
Requires mandatory contractions with definite articles (face ao, face à, face aos, face às) depending on the noun.
Commonly found in news, professional environments, and academic writing to provide logical justifications for actions.
Includes the useful verbal phrase 'fazer face a,' which means to cope with or manage challenges or expenses.

The Portuguese expression face a is a sophisticated prepositional phrase that translates to English as 'in the face of,' 'given,' 'considering,' or 'confronted by.' While it originated from the literal physical concept of being 'face to face' with something, its modern usage in Portuguese is predominantly abstract and formal. It serves as a logical connector that establishes a relationship between a specific situation or challenge and the reaction or state that follows it. You will encounter this phrase frequently in news broadcasts, academic papers, legal documents, and professional environments where a speaker needs to justify an action based on external circumstances. It is a hallmark of B1-level proficiency because it allows the learner to move beyond simple cause-and-effect sentences like 'because of' (por causa de) and into more nuanced, analytical communication.

Literal Meaning: Physically standing in front of something, though this is now more commonly expressed as 'em frente a'.
Figurative Meaning: Considering or reacting to a specific fact, obstacle, or phenomenon that has arisen.
Grammatical Function: It acts as a prepositional locution that must contract with the definite article following it (ao, à, aos, às).

In social contexts, using 'face a' instead of 'visto que' or 'por causa de' elevates the register of your speech. It suggests a level of gravity and careful consideration. For instance, a manager might say, 'Face aos resultados do último trimestre, precisamos mudar a nossa estratégia.' This sounds much more authoritative and professional than simply saying the results were bad. It implies that the strategy change is a direct, necessary response to the evidence presented by the results.

O governo manteve a calma face à crise diplomática inesperada que surgiu na fronteira.

Understanding 'face a' also involves recognizing its role in public discourse. Politicians use it to frame their decisions as inevitable responses to external pressures. Scientists use it to explain observations in the context of specific variables. In everyday life, you might use it when discussing personal growth or difficult decisions, such as 'Face à falta de tempo, tive de desistir do curso de pintura.' It provides a clear, logical bridge between the constraint (lack of time) and the outcome (quitting the course). This phrase is essential for anyone looking to master the 'logic' of Portuguese sentence structure, as it provides a more elegant way to link ideas than simple conjunctions. It also appears in the fixed expression 'fazer face a,' which means to cope with, to resist, or to meet a challenge head-on, adding another layer of utility to the core vocabulary. By mastering this term, you transition from speaking basic Portuguese to engaging in meaningful, structured debate and analysis.

Using face a correctly requires attention to the grammatical contraction that occurs when it meets a definite article. This is perhaps the most technical aspect of the phrase for English speakers. In English, 'in the face of' is static. In Portuguese, 'face a' becomes 'face ao' (masculine singular), 'face à' (feminine singular), 'face aos' (masculine plural), and 'face às' (feminine plural). This contraction is mandatory. For example, if you are talking about a problem (o problema), you must say 'face ao problema.' If you are talking about a situation (a situação), you must say 'face à situação.' This grammatical agility is what distinguishes an intermediate learner from a beginner.

Placement in Sentence: It can appear at the beginning of a sentence to set the context or in the middle to provide a reason for an action.
Interaction with Verbs: Commonly follows verbs like 'reagir,' 'decidir,' 'mudar,' or 'permanecer' to show the stimulus for those actions.
Formal Contractions: Face + o = Face ao; Face + a = Face à; Face + os = Face aos; Face + as = Face às.

When using 'face a' at the start of a sentence, it is typically followed by a comma after the introductory phrase is complete. For example: 'Face ao aumento dos preços, as famílias estão a poupar mais.' This structure is very common in journalism. It immediately informs the reader of the 'why' before the 'what.' In the middle of a sentence, it provides a justification: 'A empresa decidiu expandir face à crescente procura pelos seus produtos.' Here, it explains the motivation for the expansion.

Eles demonstraram uma coragem incrível face aos obstáculos que surgiram durante a expedição na Amazónia.

Another important usage is in the verbal phrase 'fazer face a.' This means to deal with or to pay for something. For example, 'Como vamos fazer face a estas despesas?' (How are we going to meet/pay these expenses?). In this context, 'fazer face a' acts as a synonym for 'enfrentar' or 'suportar.' It is a very common way to discuss financial obligations or tackling difficult tasks. When you use 'face a' as a prepositional phrase, you are usually describing a state of being or a reaction. When you use 'fazer face a,' you are describing an active process of management or survival. Both are essential for B1 learners to understand how to express agency and causality in Portuguese. Practicing the contractions is the best way to gain fluency. Write out ten sentences using different nouns: 'o desafio' (face ao desafio), 'a ameaça' (face à ameaça), 'os riscos' (face aos riscos), 'as mudanças' (face às mudanças). This repetition will help the crase and the masculine contractions become second nature, allowing you to focus on the content of your speech rather than the mechanics of the grammar.

You are most likely to hear face a in environments that require a certain level of decorum or precision. It is a staple of 'O Jornal da Noite' (the evening news) in Portugal and similar broadcasts in Brazil. News anchors use it to link global events to local impacts. For instance, 'Face à queda da bolsa, o Ministro das Finanças convocou uma reunião de emergência.' It is also extremely common in the workplace during presentations or meetings. If a project is delayed, a project manager might explain the situation by saying, 'Face aos atrasos na entrega dos materiais, o cronograma será ajustado.' This phrasing is preferred in professional settings because it sounds objective rather than apologetic.

News & Media: Used to report on economic trends, political reactions, and social changes.
Legal & Formal Documents: Found in contracts or court rulings to justify a legal decision based on evidence (e.g., face às provas apresentadas).
Academic Writing: Used by researchers to explain their methodology or findings in relation to existing theories.

In academic contexts, 'face a' is used to show how a new study responds to previous knowledge. A student might write, 'Face às teorias de Piaget, este estudo propõe uma nova perspetiva sobre o desenvolvimento infantil.' It signals that the writer is aware of the context and is positioning their work within it. In literature, particularly in 19th and 20th-century Portuguese novels (like those of Eça de Queirós), 'face a' might be used to describe a character's internal state when confronting a moral dilemma.

O diretor da escola teve de tomar uma decisão difícil face ao comportamento inaceitável do aluno.

While less common in very casual slang-heavy conversations between teenagers, it is perfectly normal in everyday adult conversation when discussing serious topics like health, finances, or career moves. If a friend tells you, 'Face ao que o médico disse, vou ter de parar de fumar,' they are using the phrase to lend weight to their decision. It shows that the decision isn't just a whim, but a considered response to external advice. Even in Brazil, where some formal structures are occasionally dropped in speech, 'face a' (and especially 'frente a') remains a vital tool for clear communication in the press and the corporate world. Listening for this phrase will help you identify the 'pivot point' in Portuguese arguments—the moment where the speaker identifies the cause and moves toward the effect.

The most frequent mistake learners make with face a is neglecting the contraction with the definite article. English speakers often say 'face a o problema' instead of 'face ao problema.' This is a major indicator of non-native speech. In Portuguese, the preposition 'a' and the article 'o' or 'a' are like magnets—they must snap together. Another common error is the misuse of the crase (the back-tick accent). Learners often forget to write 'face à' and instead write 'face a' even when the following word is feminine. Remember: if you can replace the feminine word with a masculine one and it becomes 'ao,' then the feminine version *must* have a crase. For example, 'face ao desafio' (masculine) means 'face à dificuldade' (feminine) must have the accent.

The 'De' Mistake: Confusing 'face a' with 'diante de'. Never say 'face de'; it is always 'face a'.
Redundancy: Saying 'em face a'. While 'em face de' exists in older or very legalistic texts, 'face a' is the standard modern form. Adding 'em' is usually unnecessary.
Confusion with 'Frente': Using 'face a' for physical location. If you are standing in front of a building, use 'em frente ao prédio', not 'face ao prédio'.

Another subtle mistake involves the difference between 'face a' and 'fazer face a.' As mentioned before, 'face a' is a prepositional phrase (given/considering), while 'fazer face a' is a verb phrase meaning to cope or to pay. Using one when you mean the other can lead to confusion. For instance, 'Face à dívida' means 'Considering the debt,' but 'Fazer face à dívida' means 'To pay/manage the debt.'

Errado: Face o problema. Correto: Face ao problema.

Finally, avoid using 'face a' in overly casual settings where it might sound pretentious. If you are just telling a friend you can't go out because it's raining, 'face à chuva' sounds like you're reading a weather report. Stick to 'por causa da chuva' or 'como está a chover' for everyday informal interactions. The key to mastering 'face a' is knowing when to deploy its formal weight and when to opt for simpler connectors. Overusing it can make your Portuguese sound stiff, while underusing it can make your professional or academic writing seem too basic. Balance is essential.

Portuguese offers several alternatives to face a, each with a slightly different nuance or register. Understanding these differences allows you to choose the perfect word for your specific context. The most direct synonym is 'perante,' which also means 'in the face of' or 'before.' However, 'perante' is often used when talking about being 'before' an authority figure or a moral truth. For example, 'perante o juiz' (before the judge). While 'face a' can also be used here, 'perante' feels more static and formal.

Diante de: More common for physical positioning, but also used figuratively. 'Diante da crise' is very similar to 'face à crise'.
Visto que / Dado que: These mean 'seeing as' or 'given that'. They are conjunctions, so they are followed by a clause (verb), whereas 'face a' is followed by a noun.
Em virtude de: Very formal, meaning 'by virtue of' or 'due to'. It suggests a more direct causal link.

Another common alternative is 'atendendo a,' which means 'considering' or 'taking into account.' This is frequently used in administrative or legal contexts to show that a decision was made after considering certain factors. For example, 'Atendendo ao seu pedido, decidimos autorizar a licença.' This is slightly more polite and bureaucratic than 'face a.' On the more casual side, 'com' can sometimes replace 'face a' in very simple sentences, though it loses the 'confrontational' nuance. Instead of 'Face à chuva, não saímos,' one might just say 'Com esta chuva, não saímos.'

Comparação: Face à situação (Reação) vs. Devido à situação (Causa pura).

In Brazilian Portuguese, 'frente a' is often used where European Portuguese speakers would prefer 'face a.' Both are correct and widely understood, but 'frente a' (often used without 'em') is very common in Brazilian journalism: 'Frente aos desafios da economia, o país tenta se recuperar.' Learning these variations helps you adapt your speech to the specific region and level of formality required. It also prevents you from repeating the same word too often in a single piece of writing, which is a key skill for advanced learners. By rotating between 'face a,' 'perante,' 'diante de,' and 'atendendo a,' you demonstrate a rich and flexible vocabulary that can handle complex logical connections with ease.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Face ao exposto, a sentença foi proferida."

Neutral

"Face ao mau tempo, o jogo foi cancelado."

Informal

"Face ao que ele disse, eu fui embora."

Child friendly

"Face ao frio, a formiga ficou na toca."

Slang

"Ele deu a face e resolveu a parada."

Fun Fact

The word 'face' in Portuguese refers to the cheek or the whole face, but 'cara' is more common for the whole face in informal speech. 'Face' sounds more poetic or anatomical.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈfɐ.sɨ ɐ/

US /ˈfa.si a/

The stress is on the first syllable: FA-ce.

Rhymes With

passe classe impasse desfasse enlace

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'e' in 'face' too strongly like an 'ay' sound.
Forgetting to link the 'e' of 'face' with the following 'a' in natural speech.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize but requires understanding of contractions.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct use of crase (à) and masculine contractions.

Speaking 4/5

Needs practice to sound natural and not overly stiff.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation but can be fast in news reports.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

face frente perante porque contra

Learn Next

visto que dado que atendendo a conquanto não obstante

Advanced

consubstanciar exequibilidade conjuntura premissa

Grammar to Know

Crase with 'face à'

Face à (a+a) situação.

Contraction with masculine articles

Face ao (a+o) problema.

Prepositional locutions requiring 'a'

Similar to 'relativamente a' or 'respeitante a'.

Verb agreement with 'fazer face a'

Nós fazemos face às dívidas.

Comma usage with introductory phrases

Face ao perigo, ele fugiu.

Examples by Level

A minha face está vermelha.

My face is red.

Here 'face' is a noun meaning the body part.

O hotel fica face ao mar.

The hotel is facing the sea.

Used here for physical orientation.

Ele olhou para a face dela.

He looked at her face.

Simple noun usage.

Face ao sol, use óculos.

Given the sun, use glasses.

Very simple use of 'face a' as 'given'.

Eles estão face a face.

They are face to face.

Common fixed expression.

A face da moeda é bonita.

The face of the coin is beautiful.

Noun usage meaning 'side'.

Face ao frio, vista um casaco.

Given the cold, wear a coat.

Simple logical connector.

Limpe a face com água.

Clean your face with water.

Noun usage.

Face ao problema, ele ligou para o pai.

Given the problem, he called his father.

'Face ao' = face + o (the).

Eles decidiram ficar em casa face à chuva.

They decided to stay home given the rain.

'Face à' = face + a (the). Note the crase.

Face às dúvidas, pergunte ao professor.

Given the doubts, ask the teacher.

Plural feminine contraction 'face às'.

Precisamos de dinheiro para fazer face às despesas.

We need money to meet the expenses.

'Fazer face a' means to cope with or pay.

Face ao barulho, não consegui dormir.

Given the noise, I couldn't sleep.

Logical connection between noise and lack of sleep.

O que fazer face a esta situação?

What to do in the face of this situation?

Asking for a reaction to a context.

Face aos avisos, eles tiveram cuidado.

Given the warnings, they were careful.

Plural masculine contraction 'face aos'.

Ela sorriu face ao elogio.

She smiled at (given) the compliment.

Reaction to a stimulus.

Face à crise económica, o consumo baixou.

In the face of the economic crisis, consumption dropped.

Formal use in an economic context.

O governo tomou medidas face ao aumento da inflação.

The government took measures in the face of rising inflation.

Common political/news usage.

Face à falta de provas, o caso foi arquivado.

Given the lack of evidence, the case was closed.

Legal context meaning 'considering'.

Como podemos fazer face a este grande desafio?

How can we face/cope with this great challenge?

'Fazer face a' as a verb phrase for overcoming.

Face às novas regras, temos de mudar o contrato.

Given the new rules, we have to change the contract.

Business context.

Ele manteve-se calmo face às críticas dos colegas.

He remained calm in the face of his colleagues' criticism.

Describing emotional resilience.

Face ao sucesso do evento, haverá uma segunda edição.

Given the success of the event, there will be a second edition.

Positive context for 'face a'.

A empresa faliu por não conseguir fazer face às dívidas.

The company went bankrupt because it couldn't meet its debts.

Financial context for 'fazer face a'.

Face ao atual cenário geopolítico, a diplomacia é essencial.

Given the current geopolitical scenario, diplomacy is essential.

High-level political analysis.

O tribunal decidiu a favor do réu face às evidências.

The court decided in favor of the defendant given the evidence.

Precise legal justification.

Face à complexidade do tema, o debate foi prolongado.

Given the complexity of the topic, the debate was extended.

Academic or professional context.

É difícil manter a objetividade face a tais injustiças.

It is difficult to maintain objectivity in the face of such injustices.

Ethical/Social commentary.

Face à iminência de uma tempestade, o porto foi fechado.

In the face of an imminent storm, the port was closed.

Describing a necessary preventative action.

A estratégia foi alterada face aos resultados do inquérito.

The strategy was changed given the results of the survey.

Data-driven decision making.

Face à resistência dos habitantes, o projeto foi cancelado.

Given the residents' resistance, the project was cancelled.

Social conflict context.

Não podemos ficar indiferentes face ao sofrimento alheio.

We cannot remain indifferent in the face of others' suffering.

Moral imperative.

Face à hermenêutica do texto, a interpretação torna-se ambígua.

Given the hermeneutics of the text, the interpretation becomes ambiguous.

Highly academic literary analysis.

A política monetária deve ser flexível face às flutuações do mercado.

Monetary policy must be flexible in the face of market fluctuations.

Economic theory usage.

Face à premência de uma solução, o protocolo foi simplificado.

Given the urgency of a solution, the protocol was simplified.

Administrative efficiency context.

O autor questiona a moralidade face aos avanços tecnológicos.

The author questions morality in the face of technological advances.

Philosophical inquiry.

Face à disparidade de critérios, a avaliação foi inconclusiva.

Given the disparity of criteria, the evaluation was inconclusive.

Scientific/Technical evaluation.

É imperativo agir face à degradação dos ecossistemas.

It is imperative to act in the face of ecosystem degradation.

Environmental advocacy.

Face à conjuntura internacional, as exportações sofreram um revés.

Given the international situation, exports suffered a setback.

Macroeconomic analysis.

A subjetividade do observador é inevitável face ao fenómeno.

The observer's subjectivity is inevitable in the face of the phenomenon.

Epistemological context.

Face à ontologia do ser, a existência precede a essência.

In the face of the ontology of being, existence precedes essence.

Pure philosophical discourse.

A jurisprudência tem evoluído face às novas exigências sociais.

Jurisprudence has evolved in the face of new social demands.

Legal philosophy.

Face à inexorabilidade do tempo, a arte busca a eternidade.

In the face of the inexorability of time, art seeks eternity.

Poetic/Existential register.

A resiliência institucional foi testada face à erosão democrática.

Institutional resilience was tested in the face of democratic erosion.

Political science analysis.

Face à magnitude da catástrofe, as palavras tornam-se vãs.

In the face of the magnitude of the catastrophe, words become vain.

High literary pathos.

O paradigma mudou face à convergência de múltiplas crises.

The paradigm shifted in the face of the convergence of multiple crises.

Systemic analysis.

Face à volatilidade dos afetos, a lealdade é um valor supremo.

In the face of the volatility of affections, loyalty is a supreme value.

Moral/Literary reflection.

A soberania nacional é reafirmada face às pressões supranacionais.

National sovereignty is reaffirmed in the face of supranational pressures.

International relations.

Common Collocations

face ao exposto

face à realidade

face ao perigo

face à crise

fazer face às despesas

fazer face aos desafios

face à evidência

face à falta de

face às circunstâncias

face ao público

Common Phrases

Face a face

— Directly opposite someone; in person.

Finalmente encontramo-nos face a face.

Fazer face a

— To cope with, manage, or pay for something difficult.

Temos de fazer face a este problema agora.

Face ao que foi dito

— Considering what was just mentioned or spoken.

Face ao que foi dito, não tenho mais comentários.

Face ao previsto

— Compared to or given what was expected.

O lucro foi maior face ao previsto.

De face para

— Facing towards a certain direction (physical).

A janela fica de face para o jardim.

Face a tal

— In view of such a thing (usually negative).

Face a tal comportamento, ele foi expulso.

Face ao pedido

— Given the request made.

Face ao pedido da mãe, ele voltou para casa.

Face às ameaças

— In the face of threats.

Ela não cedeu face às ameaças.

Face ao risco

— Given the risk involved.

Face ao risco de incêndio, a zona foi evacuada.

Face à lei

— In the eyes of or given the requirements of the law.

Face à lei, todos somos iguais.

Often Confused With

face a vs em frente a

Used for physical location (in front of a building). 'Face a' is for situations.

face a vs face de

Incorrect grammar. Always use 'face a'.

face a vs perante

Very similar, but 'perante' is often used for people/authorities, while 'face a' is for situations/facts.

Idioms & Expressions

"dar a face"

— To take responsibility; to show up and face the consequences.

Ele errou, mas deu a face perante todos.

informal

"cair a face"

— To feel deeply ashamed or embarrassed.

Caiu-me a face quando percebi o meu erro.

informal

"ter duas faces"

— To be hypocritical or two-faced.

Cuidado com ele, ele tem duas faces.

neutral

"na face de"

— Right in front of; often used for something obvious.

A solução estava na face dele e ele não viu.

neutral

"lavar a face"

— To clean up one's image or reputation.

A empresa tentou lavar a face com uma nova campanha.

neutral

"com uma face de caso"

— With a serious or worried expression.

Ele chegou com uma face de caso.

informal

"perder a face"

— To lose respect or prestige in front of others.

Ele não queria perder a face perante os subordinados.

neutral

"salvar a face"

— To avoid humiliation or preserve one's reputation.

Ele aceitou o acordo apenas para salvar a face.

neutral

"face oculta"

— A hidden side or aspect of something.

Esta é a face oculta do sucesso.

literary

"na face da terra"

— On the face of the earth; anywhere.

Não há ninguém como tu na face da terra.

poetic

Easily Confused

face a vs fazer face a

Sounds like the prepositional phrase but is a verb phrase.

'Face a' sets the context; 'Fazer face a' describes the action of coping or paying.

Face à dívida (context), temos de fazer face ao pagamento (action).

face a vs frente a

Used interchangeably in Brazil.

'Frente a' is more common in BR; 'Face a' is more common in PT.

Frente aos desafios / Face aos desafios.

face a vs diante de

Both mean 'before'.

'Diante de' is more visual/physical; 'Face a' is more analytical/logical.

Diante do espelho / Face ao problema.

face a vs visto que

Both introduce a reason.

'Visto que' is a conjunction (needs a verb); 'Face a' is a preposition (needs a noun).

Visto que está a chover / Face à chuva.

face a vs por causa de

Both show causality.

'Por causa de' is informal/neutral; 'Face a' is formal/structured.

Por causa do preço / Face ao preço.

Sentence Patterns

Face ao [Noun], [Verb].

Face ao frio, bebi chá.

[Subject] [Verb] face à [Noun].

O João decidiu sair face à confusão.

Fazer face a [Noun].

Temos de fazer face às despesas.

Face aos [Noun Plural], [Action].

Face aos problemas, a equipa desistiu.

Manter-se [Adjective] face a [Noun].

Ela manteve-se firme face à pressão.

Face à [Abstract Noun], torna-se [Adjective].

Face à incerteza, torna-se difícil planear.

Agir de forma [Adverb] face a.

Devemos agir de forma ética face ao dilema.

A [Noun] revela-se [Adjective] face a.

A alma revela-se pequena face à imensidão.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in written and broadcast media; moderate in everyday speech.

Common Mistakes

Face o problema → Face ao problema
You must contract the preposition 'a' with the definite article 'o'.
Face a crise → Face à crise
When the noun is feminine, you must use the crase to show the contraction of 'a' + 'a'.
Face de → Face a
The preposition 'de' is incorrect here; 'face' always takes 'a' in this context.
Face ao prédio → Em frente ao prédio
'Face a' is for abstract situations; use 'em frente a' for physical locations.
Fazer face de despesas → Fazer face às despesas
The verbal phrase also requires 'a' and its contractions, not 'de'.

Tips

Master the Crase

Remember that 'face à' is a combination of 'face a' + 'a' (the feminine article). If you're unsure, swap the noun for a masculine one. If it becomes 'face ao', use the crase on the feminine version.

Elevate Your Writing

Use 'face a' in your Portuguese essays or business emails to sound more professional and analytical. It shows you have a higher command of the language's logical connectors.

Learn the Verb Pair

Don't just learn 'face a' as a preposition. Learn 'fazer face a' (to cope/manage) at the same time, as they are often used together in professional contexts.

The Silent E

In Portugal, the 'e' in 'face' is very quiet. Don't over-pronounce it. It should flow quickly into the next 'a' sound: 'fass-ah'.

News is Your Friend

Watch the Portuguese news. You will hear 'face ao' or 'face à' almost every night. It’s the best way to hear it used in its natural, formal habitat.

Avoid Casual Overuse

Don't use 'face a' when talking to friends about dinner. It sounds like you're giving a press conference. Use 'por causa de' or 'como' instead.

Identify the Pivot

When you see 'face a' in a text, it's a 'pivot' word. Everything before it is usually the reaction, and everything after it is the cause or context.

No 'Em' Needed

Avoid saying 'em face a'. While 'em face de' exists, modern Portuguese prefers the simpler and more direct 'face a'.

The Idea of Confrontation

Keep in mind that 'face a' implies a bit of a challenge. Use it when the situation is something that needs to be 'faced' or dealt with.

The 'Face' Connection

Always link it to 'facing' something in English. If you are facing a problem, you are 'face ao problema'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Facing' a problem. 'Face a' = Facing a. If you are 'Face ao' problem, you are looking it right in the eye.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing directly in front of a giant wall labeled 'CRISIS'. They are 'face à' wall.

Word Web

face frente perante diante enfrentar desafio crise reação

Challenge

Try to write a formal email to a boss explaining a delay using 'face ao' or 'face à' at least twice.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'facies', which means 'form', 'appearance', or 'face'.

Original meaning: The outward appearance or front side of something.

Romance (Latin origin).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral, formal linguistic connector.

English speakers often use 'given' or 'because of'. 'Face a' is more specific to the 'confrontation' with a fact.

Often used in the 'Preâmbulo' (Preamble) of the Portuguese Constitution or legal decrees. Common in the lyrics of Fado when describing the inevitability of fate (fado) face to life's hardships.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Meetings

Face aos resultados...
Face à concorrência...
Face ao orçamento...
Fazer face aos custos...

Legal Proceedings

Face às provas...
Face ao testemunho...
Face à lei vigente...
Face ao acórdão...

News Reporting

Face à crise...
Face ao protesto...
Face à subida de preços...
Face ao escândalo...

Academic Writing

Face à teoria...
Face aos dados colhidos...
Face à bibliografia...
Face à análise...

Personal Decisions

Face ao que aconteceu...
Face à minha saúde...
Face ao meu futuro...
Face à família...

Conversation Starters

"O que farias face a uma proposta de trabalho no estrangeiro?"

"Como achas que o governo deve agir face à crise climática?"

"Já tiveste de fazer face a uma situação muito difícil sozinho?"

"Qual é a tua reação face a uma crítica injusta?"

"Face ao que aprendeste hoje, como vais praticar o teu português?"

Journal Prompts

Escreve sobre uma decisão que tomaste face a um grande desafio.

Como o teu país está a reagir face às mudanças tecnológicas atuais?

Descreve um momento em que tiveste de dar a face por um erro.

Reflete sobre a importância da resiliência face ao fracasso.

Face ao teu progresso no português, quais são os teus próximos objetivos?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

While technically possible, it is much better to use 'em frente a' or 'defronte de' for physical locations like buildings or people. 'Face a' is best reserved for abstract situations or challenges.

It depends on the noun. If the noun is feminine and singular (like 'situação'), it is 'face à'. If it is masculine (like 'problema'), it is 'face ao'.

Yes, it is used in formal writing and news, but 'frente a' or 'diante de' are often more frequent in everyday Brazilian speech.

They are very close. 'Perante' is slightly more formal and often implies being 'before' an authority (like a judge). 'Face a' is more about the logical response to a situation.

No, that is a common mistake. The correct preposition is always 'a'. Grammatically, it is a locução prepositiva that requires 'a'.

It means 'to meet expenses' or 'to cover costs'. Example: 'O meu salário não chega para fazer face às despesas.'

No, it can be in the middle. 'Ele decidiu mudar face às novas informações.'

Yes, significantly. 'Porque' is a basic conjunction. 'Face a' is a sophisticated way to frame a situation and its consequence.

Usually only if you are 'facing' them as a challenge or in a formal context. For meeting someone, use 'cara a cara' or 'frente a frente'.

It's a very formal way to say 'given what has been stated' or 'in view of the above'. It's common at the end of legal or business arguments.