Portuguese Phrase
Me faz um favor?
Meaning
This phrase is a direct request for assistance or a small task. It is a common way to ask someone to do something for you in an informal or semi-formal setting in Brazil. The verb 'fazer' is used here in a way that is common in spoken language, though it technically deviates from formal grammar rules regarding pronoun placement.
When to use
Use this when asking friends, family, or colleagues for a quick hand or a small act of kindness. It is perfect for everyday situations where you need help with something simple.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Mefazumfavor
Me
This is an object pronoun. In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, it is very common to start sentences with 'me', even though formal grammar suggests placing it after the verb.
Faz
A form of the verb 'fazer' (to do/make). In this context, it is used in the informal second-person singular.
Favor
A masculine noun meaning 'favor'. It is preceded by the indefinite article 'um'.
🗨In Conversation
Me faz um favor?
Do me a favor?
Claro, o que você precisa?
Sure, what do you need?
✕Common Mistakes
Eu faz um favor?
Use the object pronoun 'me' instead of the subject pronoun 'eu' to indicate you are the recipient of the favor.
Me faz um ajuda?
'Ajuda' is feminine, so it would be 'uma ajuda', but 'favor' is the standard noun for this specific idiom.
↔Alternatives
Pode me fazer um favor?
Can you do me a favor?
Me faz um favorzinho?
Do me a little favor?
Você poderia me fazer um favor?
Could you do me a favor?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, adding the diminutive '-zinho' to 'favor' (favorzinho) makes the request sound less burdensome and more friendly. While 'Me faz' is common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese, starting a sentence with an object pronoun is technically incorrect in formal writing, where 'Faça-me' would be preferred.