How to Say ‘Take Notes’ in Portuguese: Anotar and Fazer Anotações
Use anotar or fazer anotações for taking notes in a Portuguese class, meeting, or lecture.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Anotar means to write down or take note of information. It is a flexible verb for class, a meeting, or a phone call. You can say anotar uma ideia or anotar o endereço.
Use anotar for writing information down
Vou anotar os pontos principais da aula.
I’m going to take notes on the main points of class.
Posso anotar seu número?
Can I write down your number?
Use fazer anotações for the activity or your notes
Fazer anotações means to take notes or make notes. Anotações can also refer to the notes you wrote. For a class note packet or a classmate’s notes, say minhas anotações or suas anotações.
A professora deixou tempo para fazer anotações.
The teacher left time to take notes.
Posso comparar minhas anotações com as suas?
Can I compare my notes with yours?
Ask permission or request notes from someone
If you are recording someone else’s explanation, ask before doing so. If you missed class, request one specific set of notes and offer to share something useful in return.
Tudo bem se eu fizer algumas anotações enquanto você explica?
Is it okay if I take a few notes while you explain?
Você poderia compartilhar as anotações da última aula?
Could you share your notes from the last class?
Put it into practice
Use anotar for the action and anotações for the notes or note-taking activity.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “I’m going to take notes on the main points of class”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.