What Mexer Really Means in Brazilian Portuguese

If you're learning Brazilian Portuguese, sooner or later you run into the verb mexer and wonder what it really means, because it doesn't always translate as "to move." Here in Brazil, mexer is one of those everyday words we use all the time, and it changes meaning with the context: it can be to stir, to mix, to touch, to shake, to tease, or even to mess with someone.

And let's clear up the most common doubt first: it's spelled mexer, with an x, not "mecher." The form "mecher" doesn't exist in Portuguese, so if you've ever seen it written with ch, now you know the correct form and how to spell mexer.

In this lesson you'll understand what mexer means in Portuguese, how it's used in real everyday sentences, and the most common mistakes learners make. Beyond the meaning of mexer, you'll see examples, expressions, and day-to-day situations where this verb shows up naturally, so you can use it and actually sound natural.

Video: How to use MEXER in Portuguese

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Sentences with MEXER in Portuguese

Mexer (to move)

Used to show that something changes position or physically moves.

• Sempre que ela coloca açúcar no café passa 1 minuto mexendo pra misturar bem.

Mexer (to be moved emotionally)

It expresses that something struck you, moved you, or shook you up emotionally.

• O documentário mexeu muito com ela, por isso ela parou de comer carne.

Mexer (to tease, to play around, in a good way)

Used to joke around, tease, or lightly wind someone up in a friendly way.

• Você gosta de mexer comigo né? (incomodando, brincando, no bom sentido).

How to say DON'T BOTHER ME in Portuguese

Mexer (to wiggle, to shake)

It means to move something repeatedly, usually with your hand or your body.

• Pra você dançar samba tem que mexer a cintura.

Mexer (to touch)

It means to touch something, especially when you shouldn't or without permission.

• Não mexa na comida até que todo mundo chegue pra comer junto. (tocar)

Typical Brazilian food

Mexer (something already used, touched or tampered with)

It shows that an object has already been touched, used, or altered by someone else.

• Quando a gente foi cantar os parabéns no dia do aniversário dela a torta já tava mexida. (alguém já tinha metido o dedo)

Mexer (to be really good at something)

It refers to being skilled at or good with something, like a tool or a system.

• Nossa... você mexe muito bem com esse tipo de coisa. (entende muito)

Mexer (to stir)

Used when you mix or stir something, like food, liquids, or ideas.

• Vocês pediram ovos mexidos ou inteiros?

Knowing all these meanings of the verb MEXER in Portuguese is really useful when you're in contact with the language every day, listening to songs in Portuguese, watching movies, and talking with Brazilians.

I recommend building sentences in a context that's really easy to understand. If you can make an example with a situation that actually happened to you in real life, it's much more effective.

Let me give you a sentence so it's totally clear.

"Uma vez eu fui apresentar um trabalho na universidade e o arquivo do PowerPoint tava com problemas pra abrir, por sorte eu estudava com um cara que sabia mexer bem em computadores, ele solucionou o problema e eu pude fazer a apresentação."

You can also listen to songs that have the verb MEXER in their lyrics.

20 Irregular Verbs in Portuguese

Phrases and thoughts with the verb MEXER in Portuguese

On the site Kdfrases you can find more examples with the verb mexer.

Take notes of your favorite sentences in a notebook so you can review them often.