desfazer
/des.faˈze(ʁ)/
The English phrase "to undo" is translated into Portuguese as desfazer.
desfazer is used to mean reversing an action or an object, such as untying a knot. It is also the standard term used in computing contexts for an "undo" command in software.
Meaning: to reverse (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb is composed of the prefix des- (meaning un- or dis-) and the verb fazer (meaning to do or make).
Which one should you use?
While desfazer is the general verb to undo an action, if you specifically want to say "to untie a knot", you should use the phrase desfazer o nó.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of desfazer is desfeito, which is used to describe something that is undone. For commands or the present subjunctive, use the form desfaça.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable: /des.faˈze(ʁ)/.
Did you know?
- In Brazilian Portuguese, desfazer is used in the phrase desfazer a roda, which colloquially refers to breaking up a circle of people or dispersing a crowd.
- The root verb fazer is a cognate of the English 'fact', as both stem from the Latin 'factum', meaning 'something done'.
- While desfazer means to undo, the phrase desfazer a mala specifically refers to unpacking a suitcase, treating the packed bag as something that was 'made'.
Examples in context
- Eu não posso desfazer.I can't undo it.Tatoeba #826355 by brauliobezerra, translation #826005 by U2FS
- "O que foi feito, temos de desfazer!" gritou o Tom, abrindo a porta para a passagem secreta que conduzia à sua máquina do tempo."What is done, we must undo!" cried Tom, opening the door to the secret passageway that led to his time machine.Tatoeba #10681866 by Cangarejo, translation #9977470 by sundown
- Eu preciso desfazer as alterações que fiz no documento.I need to undo the changes I made in the document.
- O tribunal decidiu anular a sentença.The court decided to undo the verdict.
- Preciso cancelar a transferência bancária que fiz.I need to undo the bank transfer I made.
- Vou desfazer a última alteração que fiz no texto.I'll undo the last change I made to the text.
- Eu não consigo desfazer este nó.I cannot undo this knot.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas is trying to fix a mistake in a digital document.
- LucasEu apaguei o texto sem querer!I deleted the text by accident!
- JulianaVocê pode desfazer a ação agora.You can undo the action now.
- LucasObrigado, Juliana, você me salvou.Thanks, Juliana, you saved me.
- JulianaDe nada, Lucas, sempre que precisar.You're welcome, Lucas, whenever you need.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “undo” translations and entries desfazer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desfazer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
