How to say “Who made this?” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learning how to ask who made something is a tiny but powerful skill in Brazilian Portuguese. This article teaches beginners how to say and use the question who made this in everyday contexts like markets, restaurants, workshops, and messages. You will learn vocabulary, grammar tips, common replies, and short dialogues so you can confidently ask and understand responses.

Basic translation and structure

The most direct way to ask who made this in Brazilian Portuguese is Quem fez isto? This is clear and common in formal and informal situations. There are also more natural or casual alternatives you will use in different settings. Below we explain the components and give variations for beginners.

Breaking down the phrase

Quem means who. Fez is the past tense form of the verb fazer, to make or to do. Isto means this and refers to something near the speaker. Together, Quem fez isto? literally asks who made this.

Common variations and when to use them

Different words change tone, formality, and clarity. Here are beginner-friendly variations you will hear in Brazil and when to choose each one.

Quem fez isto? – Neutral, clear, good for shops, museums, or asking a server.

Quem fez isso? – Nearly identical; usa isso instead of isto. Isso is more common in everyday speech and when the object is not immediately at the speaker’s hand.

Quem fez esse/essa? – Use esse or essa to point to masculine or feminine items: esse bolo, essa bolsa. Example: Quem fez esse bolo?

Quem fez aqui? – Casual: who made this here, often used in bakeries or at a fair when asking about items made at that location.

De quem é? – More about ownership than creation, but sometimes used when you want to know the maker because ownership suggests the creator.

Key vocabulary for beginners

These words appear often when asking who made something or hearing the answer.

Quem – who

Fez – made (past tense of fazer)

Fazer – to make, to do

Isto / Isso – this / that (nearer vs. more neutral)

Esse / Essa – that (masculine/feminine)

Feito por – made by

Artesão / Artesã – artisan, craftsperson

Cozinheiro / Cozinheira – cook, chef

Fabricado por – manufactured by

Useful phrases and responses

When you ask who made something, here are typical beginner-friendly replies you might hear. Learn both the Portuguese phrase and the English meaning so you can follow real conversations.

Feito por mim. – Made by me.

Foi feito por ela. – It was made by her.

Foi feito por ele. – It was made by him.

Feito por um artesão local. – Made by a local artisan.

Foi fabricado por uma empresa. – It was manufactured by a company.

Eu que fiz. – I made it (colloquial).

Não sei quem fez. – I don’t know who made it.

Short explanations of the replies

Feito por mim and Eu que fiz both communicate the speaker is the maker; the first is slightly more neutral, the second is informal and common in casual chat. Foi feito por + pronoun or name gives a clear passive construction good for polite replies.

Sample situations and dialogues

Below are short, realistic dialogues beginners might encounter in shops, markets, or when talking with friends. Each line shows Portuguese followed by a brief gloss in English on the same line for clarity.

At a bakery:

Cliente: Quem fez esse bolo? – Customer: Who made this cake?

Vendedora: Foi feito por nós, na padaria. – Seller: It was made by us, in the bakery.

At a craft fair:

Visitante: Quem fez essa bolsa? – Visitor: Who made this bag?

Expositor: Eu mesmo. Sou artesão. – Seller: I did. I’m an artisan.

Pointing to a painting:

Turista: Quem fez isto? – Tourist: Who made this?

Guia: Foi pintado por um artista local. – Guide: It was painted by a local artist.

On a food stall sign:

Cliente: Quem fez esses salgadinhos? – Customer: Who made these snacks?

Vendedor: A cozinheira daqui. Ela faz toda manhã. – Vendor: The cook here. She makes them every morning.

Pronunciation tips for beginners

Pronouncing a few parts correctly helps you be understood. Keep it simple.

Quem – pronounce like kem (the q is a k sound, the em is nasal but okay to approximate as em).

Fez – pronounce fez (rhymes with t’s in English); the z is voiced.

Isto / Isso – ISTO sounds like ees-too, ISSO like ees-soo. Many Brazilians use ISSO in casual speech more often.

Queim – not used here; avoid confusing with quem. Focus first on clear vowel sounds and the k/q sound for quem.

Beginner tips and common mistakes

These pointers help you avoid typical errors and sound more natural when asking who made something.

1. Use isso more than isto in daily conversation. Both are correct, but isso is extremely common.

2. Match gender when using esse/essa: use esse for masculine nouns (esse bolo) and essa for feminine nouns (essa bolsa).

3. Do not mix question structure from English literally. Saying Quem fez isto is correct; avoid word order changes like Fez quem isto which is incorrect.

4. Remember fez is past tense. If you want to ask who makes something regularly, use Quem faz isto? – Who makes this? This is useful when asking about a product’s maker in a store.

5. Avoid overusing formal constructions with strangers; simple direct questions like Quem fez isso? are perfectly polite in most Brazilian settings.

Practical examples for everyday use

Here are quick, realistic lines you can memorize for shops, restaurants, markets, and social situations.

At a market: Quem fez essa peça? – Who made this piece?

At a cafe: Quem fez este pão? – Who made this bread?

In a workshop: Quem fez essa cadeira? – Who made this chair?

Talking to a friend about a gift: Quem fez este presente? – Who made this gift?

Asking online in a message: Quem fez essa foto? – Who made this photo?

Short dialogue for messaging or social media

Message 1: Oi, quem fez essa receita?
Message 2: Eu que fiz. Quer a receita? – Hi, who made this recipe? / I did it. Want the recipe?

Grammar note: fazer in past and present

For beginners it helps to know the simple present and simple past forms used in these questions.

Present: Eu faço, você faz, ele/ela faz – I make, you make, he/she makes. Use Quem faz isto? when asking about who usually makes an item.

Past: Eu fiz, você fez, ele/ela fez – I made, you made, he/she made. Use Quem fez isto? when referring to a specific finished item.

Short practice suggestion (informal)

When you see a handmade object or dish, try asking the seller or friend: Quem fez isso? Wait for an answer like Feito por mim or Foi feito por + name. This quick exchange is a realistic way to build confidence without formal drills.

Common cultural notes

Brazilians often appreciate curiosity about handmade goods or local food because it supports artists and cooks. Asking who made something can lead to friendly conversation about techniques, ingredients, or the maker’s story. Keep your tone polite and interested, and you will often get a warm reply.

Conclusion

Asking who made something in Brazilian Portuguese is simple and practical. Start with Quem fez isto? or the more casual Quem fez isso?, learn a few typical replies such as Feito por mim and Foi feito por ela, and practice in real situations like bakeries, markets, and chats. With these phrases and tips, you will be able to ask and understand who the maker is and enjoy the conversation that follows.