"Não Faz Mal" ~ One of the most useful phrases to know in Portuguese

Não faz mal is a useful phrase to learn, as it will help grace you through many situations here in Portugal. It’s the English equivalent of ‘no worries.’

Pronouncing it sounds roughly like – now•fasch•mahl. (The first syllable – ‘now’ – should resonate through your nose.)

Here’s when and how to use this phrase artfully:

1) Said in response (and with a smile) to getting an apology from someone Portuguese, não faz mal eases any tension or distress they might be feeling over whatever it was they are apologizing for, such as – not having your brand available at the store that day, not having an appointment until a month from now, not having your size in stock, and most of all, for not speaking English.

2) If you say it when someone Portuguese stops their grocery cart in the middle of the aisle of a grocery store, pondering what they want and meanwhile not leaving enough space for you, or anyone else, to get by, saying não faz mal with a smile when they suddenly realize they are not the only one in the store and apologize for blocking the way, is a gracious response.

3) When you return something to a small store that you only just purchased and now realize is wrong or not what you needed, and you are offered store credit but not a refund your money. Understand it’s just the Portuguese way. Once you give a smaller store money, they don’t want to go through the hassle of bookkeeping and government paperwork to give it back to you. Make a mental note to be more selective in the future but for now, smile and say não faz mal.

If you can manage these words, não faz mal is a great response for several reasons:

1) It makes Portuguese people laugh because they don’t expect it from you, a foreigner.

2) It a tension-breaker.

3) Best of all, if you can pull off this phrase correctly, the Portuguese will be uncertain how much of their language you actually know. And until you’re conversational, that can be a very useful thing.

Não faz mal also describes a Portuguese shrug of the shoulders, an attitude of leaving things to take their own course, without interfering. The French call this laissez faire – literally, “allow to happen.”

For example, if the wash is out on the line when it begins to rain, don’t take it down. Generations of unscientific village data demonstrates that, without exception, the sun will eventually come out and the clothes will eventually dry.

Não faz mal.

If you look around, you’ll discover Portugal gives you plenty of reasons to reach for this phrase. And once you master it, you’ll fit right in.

Kristin Fellows is a published writer, world traveler, and a well-seasoned documentary film consultant. More about Kristin @ kristinfellowswriter.com

Both illustrations by me.