What Does Dar um Jeito Mean? Find a Way in Portuguese — Practice

Use dar um jeito when someone finds a workable solution

Dar um jeito is a common Brazilian expression for finding a way to solve a problem or make a situation work. It often appears as dar um jeito de + infinitive (find a way to do something) or dar um jeito em + a problem or object (sort something out). The exact English wording changes with the situation.

The phrase can describe resourcefulness, a workaround, or simply handling an errand. It does not automatically mean breaking a rule; context determines whether the solution is ordinary, clever, or questionable.

Use the tense and complement to clarify the problem

Conjugate dar for the subject and time: dou um jeito, deu um jeito, vamos dar um jeito. Add de + infinitive when you are finding a way to perform an action; use em before the situation or object you want to fix.

When a practical solution is not yet known, a question such as você consegue dar um jeito? asks whether the person can handle it. If you need a concrete plan, follow up with a deadline or the next step.

Remember: Dar um jeito means to find a workable solution. Use de + infinitive for an action and em + noun for a problem or object to sort out.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. I’ll find a way to arrive before eight.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Vou dar um jeito de chegar antes das oito.

2. We need to sort out this leak.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A gente precisa dar um jeito nesse vazamento.

3. She managed to fit all the suitcases in the car.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ela deu um jeito de guardar todas as malas no carro.

4. Can you find a way to print this today?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você consegue dar um jeito de imprimir isso hoje?

5. He got the computer working before the meeting.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ele deu um jeito no computador antes da reunião.

6. I don’t know how yet, but we’ll find a way.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ainda não sei como, mas vamos dar um jeito.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Dar um jeito means to find a workable solution. Use de + infinitive for an action and em + noun for a problem or object to sort out.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our What Does Dar um Jeito Mean? Find a Way in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.