Portuguese Phrase
Fiz isso trabalhando de forma eficiente.
Meaning
The speaker is saying that they completed a certain task by working efficiently. It highlights both the result (the task was done) and the method (efficient work).
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to explain how you achieved something quickly or with good results, especially in professional or academic contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Fizissotrabalhandodeformaeficiente.
Fiz (pretérito perfeito)
‘Fiz’ is the first‑person singular of the verb ‘fazer’ in the simple past, indicating a completed action.
isso (pronome demonstrativo)
‘isso’ points to a specific thing or task previously mentioned or understood from context.
trabalhando (gerúndio)
The gerund form of ‘trabalhar’ expresses an ongoing manner of action, similar to ‘working…’ in English.
de forma + adjetivo
A common construction meaning ‘in a … way’; here ‘de forma eficiente’ = ‘in an efficient way’.
🗨In Conversation
Como você terminou o relatório tão rápido?
How did you finish the report so quickly?
Fiz isso trabalhando de forma eficiente.
I did that by working efficiently.
✕Common Mistakes
Fiz isso trabalhar de forma eficiente.
Missing the gerund; the verb must be in gerund form to express the manner of the action.
Fiz isso trabalhando eficientemente.
While not wrong, using the adverb can sound less formal; native speakers often choose ‘de forma eficiente’ in professional contexts.
↔Alternatives
Consegui isso ao trabalhar de maneira eficiente.
I managed that by working in an efficient manner.
Realizei isso trabalhando eficientemente.
I carried that out working efficiently.
Fiz isso de modo eficiente.
I did that in an efficient way.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese the gerund is frequently used to describe the manner of an action, especially after ‘de forma’ or ‘de modo’. While ‘eficientemente’ (the adverb) is grammatically correct, native speakers often prefer the more formal ‘de forma eficiente’ in written or professional speech.