What Does Dar um Jeito Mean? Find a Way in Portuguese
Dar um jeito means to find a way, sort something out, or make something work when the solution is not obvious.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
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.
Use dar um jeito when someone finds a workable solution
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.
Vou dar um jeito de chegar antes das oito.
I’ll find a way to arrive before eight.
A gente precisa dar um jeito nesse vazamento.
We need to sort out this leak.
Ela deu um jeito de guardar todas as malas no carro.
She managed to fit all the suitcases in the car.
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.
Você consegue dar um jeito de imprimir isso hoje?
Can you find a way to print this today?
Ele deu um jeito no computador antes da reunião.
He got the computer working before the meeting.
Ainda não sei como, mas vamos dar um jeito.
I don’t know how yet, but we’ll find a way.
Put it into practice
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.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “He got the computer working before the meeting”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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