Tanto Faz vs. Qualquer Um: Say ‘Either Is Fine’ in Portuguese — Practice

Use tanto faz when the choice does not matter to you

Tanto faz is an informal response meaning ‘either is fine,’ ‘it makes no difference,’ or sometimes ‘I don’t mind.’ It is useful when someone offers two plans and you truly have no preference. Your tone matters: said warmly, it is easygoing; said flatly, it may sound dismissive.

You can make the answer more cooperative by adding a reason or returning the choice to the other person. That signals flexibility while keeping the exchange friendly.

Use qualquer um or qualquer uma for any option

Qualquer um means ‘any one’ when the implied noun is masculine; qualquer uma is feminine. It selects an option from a set: qualquer um desses horários (any one of these times), qualquer uma das mesas (any one of the tables). The ending follows the implied noun.

Choose tanto faz when your preference is the point. Choose qualquer um/uma when you are saying that every member of a particular set is acceptable. Add para mim or por mim to make the answer personal and relaxed.

Remember: Tanto faz communicates ‘I have no preference.’ Qualquer um/uma communicates ‘any option from this group is okay,’ with the ending matching the implied noun.

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. It can be at seven or eight. — Either is fine with me.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Pode ser às sete ou às oito. — Tanto faz para mim.

2. Do you prefer coffee or tea? — Either is fine; thanks.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você prefere café ou chá? — Tanto faz; obrigada.

3. We can go by bus or by metro. — Either works for me.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A gente pode ir de ônibus ou de metrô. — Para mim, tanto faz.

4. Any one of these tables is free.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Qualquer uma dessas mesas está livre.

5. You can choose any one of the books.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Pode escolher qualquer um dos livros.

6. For me, any time after three works.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Por mim, qualquer horário depois das três serve.

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.

Tanto faz communicates ‘I have no preference.’ Qualquer um/uma communicates ‘any option from this group is okay,’ with the ending matching the implied noun.

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 Tanto Faz vs. Qualquer Um: Say ‘Either Is Fine’ 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.