Portuguese Phrase
Eles mexem com hardware.
Meaning
Literally, “They tinker with hardware.” In everyday Brazilian Portuguese it means that a group of people work on, adjust, or experiment with computer hardware or electronic components.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to describe technicians, hobbyists, or a team that is actively handling or modifying hardware. It’s informal, so in a formal report you might prefer “trabalham com hardware.”
✦Grammar Breakdown
Elesmexemcomhardware
Eles (pronoun)
Third‑person plural personal pronoun, used for a group of people of any gender.
mexem (verb)
Present indicative of the verb *mexer* (to tinker, to handle). Conjugated for third‑person plural: eu mexo, tu mexes, ele/ela mexe, **eles mexem**.
com (preposition)
Means “with” and introduces the object that is being handled or tampered with.
hardware (noun)
Borrowed English word, masculine in Portuguese (o hardware). Refers to the physical components of a computer or electronic device.
🗨In Conversation
Você sabe quem está consertando os servidores?
Do you know who is fixing the servers?
São os caras da TI, eles mexem com hardware o tempo todo.
It’s the IT guys, they mess with hardware all the time.
✕Common Mistakes
Eles mexe com hardware.
Verb must agree with the plural subject; use *mexem* for *eles*.
Eles mexem hardware.
The preposition *com* is required; you cannot say *mexem hardware*.
Eles mexem com o hardware.
The article is optional; adding *o* changes the nuance to a specific piece of hardware, which is not intended here.
↔Alternatives
Eles trabalham com hardware.
They work with hardware.
Eles lidam com hardware.
They deal with hardware.
Eles manipulam hardware.
They manipulate hardware.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, *hardware* is a common loanword and is used in both casual and technical conversations. The expression *mexer com* is informal and can imply a hands‑on, experimental attitude. If you need a more neutral tone, opt for *trabalhar com* or *lidar com*.