Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tanto faz | /ˈtɐ̃.tu ˈfa(j)s/ (Brazil) | |
| que seja | ||
| tanto faz como tanto fez | ||
| dane-se | /ˈdɐ̃.ni.si/ (Brazil) /ˈdɐ.nɨ.sɨ/ (Portugal) |
|
| foda-se | /ˈfo.dɐ.si/ (Brazil) /ˈfo.dɐ.sɨ/ (Portugal) |
slang, vulgar |
The way to express the sentiment of 'whatever' to indicate that you do not care what someone says is through the phrase tanto faz, which conveys indifference. Other forms include the more aggressive dane-se or the extremely vulgar foda-se to express extreme indifference or frustration.
Which one should you use?
While tanto faz expresses indifference to a choice or a statement, the related phrase qualquer coisa is used to mean 'anything' or 'whatever' in the sense of an unspecified object. The phrase qualquer que seja is used as a determiner meaning 'regardless of the … that' or 'for any … that'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Tanto faz is an informal way to express indifference. Dane-se is an informal and more aggressive way to express indifference, similar to 'screw it'. Foda-se is a highly vulgar slang term equivalent to 'fuck it'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of tanto faz is /ˈtɐ̃.tu ˈfa(j)s/. The stress is on the first of the three syllables.
Did you know?
- The word fez in the expression tanto faz como tanto fez comes from the Latin faecem, which means 'dregs' or 'sediment'.
- In Brazil, a common non-verbal accompaniment to tanto faz is a shrug combined with a slight tilt of the head.
- The word tanto in the phrase tanto faz shares a common ancestor with the English word 'so', both tracing back to the same Proto-Indo-European roots.
Examples in context
- "Na verdade eu não sou o Tom." – "Tanto faz.""Actually, I am not Tom." "Whatever."This example shows how to use tanto faz to express indifference to a statement.Tatoeba #7291524 by carlosalberto, translation #7291339 by Hedede
- Precisamos ser cuidadosos para fazer o que seja.Whatever we do, we must be careful.This example shows the use of que seja in the context of 'whatever we do'.Tatoeba #1632171 by alexmarcelo, translation #1079085 by keira_n
- O que quer que seja nós não estamos interessados.Whatever it is, we're not interested.This example uses que seja to mean 'whatever it is'.Tatoeba #8612001 by Ricardo14, translation #3721749 by CM
- Não, obrigado. Qualquer coisa, entrarei em contato.No, thank you. If I need anything, I'll get in touch.
- Tanto faz.Whatever. It doesn't matter.
- Tanto fez pra mim.Whatever, I don't mind.
- Faça do jeito que quiser.Do whatever you want.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Beatriz are deciding which movie to watch at home.
- FelipeBeatriz, você quer ver um filme de ação ou comédia?Beatriz, do you want to watch an action movie or a comedy?
- BeatrizPara mim, tanto faz, Felipe.It doesn't matter to me, Felipe.
- FelipeTudo bem, então eu escolho o filme.Alright, then I will choose the movie.
- BeatrizCombinado, eu só quero relaxar agora.Deal, I just want to relax now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whatever” translations and entries tanto faz, que seja, tanto faz como tanto fez, dane-se, foda-se, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries como, fez, que, seja, tanto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
