Portuguese Phrase
Como se faz a manutenção?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the procedure or method of performing maintenance. It can be understood as ‘How is the maintenance carried out?’ or ‘What’s the way to do maintenance?’
When to use
Use this question when you need step‑by‑step instructions for keeping a device, vehicle, or system in good working order – for example, asking a technician, a colleague, or a manual writer.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Comosefazamanutenção?
Como (question word)
Introduces a question about manner or method, equivalent to 'how' in English.
se (impersonal/passive pronoun)
Creates an impersonal construction; the action is expressed without naming the subject, similar to the English passive 'is done'.
faz (3rd‑person singular of fazer)
Present‑tense form of the verb ‘fazer’ (to do/make). In this structure it works like ‘is done’.
a manutenção (noun phrase)
Definite article + noun meaning ‘the maintenance’; refers to the routine care of equipment, machines, etc.
🗨In Conversation
Como se faz a manutenção do ar‑condicionado?
How is the air‑conditioner maintenance done?
Primeiro desligue a energia, depois limpe os filtros e verifique o gás refrigerante.
First turn off the power, then clean the filters and check the refrigerant gas.
✕Common Mistakes
Como se fazer a manutenção?
Do not use the infinitive ‘fazer’ after ‘se’; the verb must be conjugated to match the impersonal construction.
Como se faz manutenção?
Leaving out the article changes the nuance; ‘Como se faz manutenção?’ sounds more generic, while the original asks about a specific maintenance task.
Como faz a manutenção?
Omitting the pronoun makes the sentence sound like you’re asking who does the maintenance, not how it’s done.
↔Alternatives
Como se realiza a manutenção?
How is the maintenance performed?
Qual é o procedimento de manutenção?
What is the maintenance procedure?
Como fazer a manutenção?
How to do maintenance?
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese the impersonal ‘se’ construction is very common in technical or instructional language, giving a neutral tone that avoids blaming a specific person. In Portugal, you might also hear the more formal passive voice ‘É feita a manutenção…’. Keep the tone polite; when speaking to a colleague you can drop the article and say ‘Como se faz manutenção?’, but the full form with ‘a’ sounds more natural in written instructions.