“Faz que” vs “Faz tempo que” in Portuguese: Natural Time Clauses

Introduction

Learning how Brazilians express time in everyday speech is essential for sounding natural. Two similar phrases often confuse learners: Faz que and Faz tempo que. This article explains the difference, shows common sentence patterns, and gives plenty of authentic Brazilian Portuguese examples so you can use them with confidence.

Contents

What does Faz mean in time expressions?

Faz is the third-person singular of fazer. In time expressions, fazer functions like the English verbs ago, it has been, or since, depending on structure. Brazilian Portuguese speakers use combinations such as faz, faz tempo, and time clauses to say how long something lasts or how long ago it happened.

Basic pattern: Faz + duration + que + clause

The most common neutral pattern to say something has been happening for a period is:

Faz + [duração] + que + [cláusula no presente/pretérito/etc.]

Examples:

Faz dois anos que eu moro no Rio.

Faz uma hora que ela estuda.

Notice that the verb in the clause often matches English present perfect or present continuous meaning, but Portuguese keeps a simple tense based on context.

Understanding Faz tempo que

Faz tempo que is an emphatic version of faz + duração + que. It stresses that a long time has passed or that something has been true for a long time. Use it when you want to highlight the length of time.

Common uses and examples

Faz tempo que can introduce either how long something has been happening or how long since an event occurred. The structure is:

Faz tempo que + [verbo no presente / pretérito / etc.]

Examples emphasizing duration:

Faz tempo que não nos vemos.

Faz tempo que trabalho nessa empresa.

Examples emphasizing time since an event:

Faz tempo que ele saiu de casa.

Faz tempo que choveu naquela cidade.

Nuances and register

Faz tempo que is everyday, informal and neutral. It is very common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese. It often replaces more formal alternatives like há muito tempo or faz muito tempo, but all are acceptable depending on emphasis and style.

Understanding Faz que

Faz que is more versatile and can be confusing for learners because its meaning changes with context. There are three main uses to learn:

1. Colloquial filler meaning something like because or so that

In everyday speech, especially in Brazil, people sometimes use faz que as a casual connector meaning roughly so, so that, or because. This use is informal and regional; avoid it in formal writing.

Examples:

Ele chega atrasado, faz que não viu o horário.

Comprei pão, faz que era o último.

2. To introduce a clause with verbs of perception or manner (literal template: faz que + clause)

Another use is to describe the way someone acts, roughly meaning acts as if or pretends that. It often pairs with verbs like parecer, fingir, agir:

Ela faz que não ouviu o convite.

Ele faz que dorme quando chega visita.

In English this is similar to he pretends not to hear or he acts like he is asleep.

3. Regional or idiomatic blends with time sense

Occasionally, faz que appears in regional expressions mixing time meaning with colloquial structure. These are common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese and often overlap with faz muito tempo or faz tempo que. You might hear:

Faz que eu não vejo o João há séculos.

Here the speaker combines a casual connective with a time statement; the intended meaning is roughly it’s been ages since I saw João. However, this is informal.

Direct comparisons: Faz que vs Faz tempo que

Below are clear contrasts showing when to use each expression.

When to use Faz tempo que

– To state a duration clearly and naturally: Faz dez minutos que espero.
– To emphasize the long length of time: Faz tempo que não vou ao cinema.
– In neutral spoken or written Portuguese where you want a standard time clause.

When to use Faz que

– To describe someone pretending or acting: Ela faz que não me conhece.
– As an informal connector in casual speech: Chegou atrasado, faz que perdeu o ônibus.
– Rarely to express time directly; if used for time, it will sound colloquial or regional.

Examples contrasted

Compare meaning differences in similar contexts:

Faz tempo que não ligo para minha avó.
Translation: It has been a long time since I called my grandmother.

Faz que não ligo para minha avó.
Translation: Sounds like I pretend not to call my grandmother or I act like I don’t call her. This is informal and less standard when used for time.

Grammar details and tense choices

Portuguese time clauses with faz usually keep the second clause in the present tense to indicate a continuing state, or in the past tense to indicate a finished action. Key patterns:

Duration with present

Faz + [duração] + que + [verbo no presente]

Faz três meses que estudo português. (I have been studying Portuguese for three months.)

Time since with past

Faz + [duração] + que + [verbo no pretérito perfeito]

Faz três anos que viajei ao Nordeste. (It has been three years since I traveled to the Northeast.)

Important note about verb agreement

The verb after que refers to the action or state and should use the tense appropriate to meaning. This is simpler than English progressive or perfect forms; context and adverbs clarify time frame.

Common variations and similar expressions

Portuguese offers alternatives to express time that are useful to know:

Há + duração

Há + [duração] is a direct equivalent to ago or since in a more neutral or slightly formal register.

Há dois anos estudo aqui. = Faz dois anos que estudo aqui.

Faz muito tempo / Faz anos

Faz muito tempo and Faz anos are common colloquial ways to say it’s been a long time.

Faz anos que a gente não se vê.

Desde + ponto no tempo

For starting points, use desde:

Estou aqui desde segunda-feira.

Practical tips to sound natural

Follow these simple guidelines when deciding between Faz que and Faz tempo que:

Use Faz tempo que when you want to state duration clearly and naturally.
Use Faz + duration + que when the duration is specific: Faz três dias que chove.
Reserve Faz que (without tempo) for colloquial connectors or when describing pretending/acting.
Prefer há or desde in written, formal contexts for clarity: Há dois meses, desde 2019.
Listen to native speakers in Brazil; many colloquial blends will appear in conversation that are rare in formal media.

Cultural and usage notes

In Brazil, family, friends, and informal conversations favor natural, concise time expressions. Phrases like Faz tempo que não te vejo are warm and very common. Regional speech introduces more colloquial uses of faz que, so expect variation between the Southeast, Northeast, and South. In formal writing or exams, stick to faz + duração + que, há, or desde for safety.

More real-world examples

Practical sentences you will hear or read in Brazil:

Faz cinco anos que trabalho com tecnologia.

Faz tempo que eu queria te contar isso.

Ela faz que não entendeu a pergunta.

Faz uma semana que comecei a correr.

Faz que ele sempre diz as mesmas coisas.

Há muito tempo que não chamo meus amigos.

Common learner mistakes

Be aware of these frequent errors and how to avoid them:

Using faz que to express duration in formal contexts. Fix: Use faz + duration + que or há.
Mixing tenses incorrectly after que. Fix: Match the tense to whether you mean a continuing state (present) or a past completed event (pretérito).
Translating word-for-word from English. Fix: Think in Portuguese patterns—Faz dois anos que… rather than It makes two years that…

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between Faz que and Faz tempo que helps you speak more naturally in Brazilian Portuguese. Use Faz tempo que or faz + duração + que to express how long something has been happening, and reserve Faz que for informal connectors or for describing someone pretending or acting as if. Pay attention to tense after que and prefer há or desde in formal contexts.