How to Say ‘The card reader isn't getting a signal here’ in Mexican Spanish
La terminal no agarra señal aquí
lah ter-mee-NAHL noh ah-GAH-rrah seh-NYAHL ah-KEE
[lah ter-mee-NAHL noh ah-GAH-rrah seh-NYAHL ah-KEE]
🇲🇽 In Mexico: "No signal" is a common way to steer you toward cash. Offering a transfer or a nearby ATM often settles it.
Phrase Breakdown
La terminal
lah ter-mee-NAHL
The card terminal
In Mexico, 'la terminal' is the card payment machine. The stress falls on the last syllable: 'ter-mee-NAL'.
¿Tiene terminal para pagar con tarjeta?
Do you have a card machine to pay by card?
Words in this phrase
La
[lah]
The (feminine singular)
A definite article used to specify a feminine singular noun.
La estación está cerca.
The station is nearby.
terminal
[ter-mee-NAHL]
card terminal
The device used to process card payments.
La terminal está apagada.
The card terminal is off.
no agarra señal aquí
noh ah-GAH-rrah seh-NYAHL ah-KEE
doesn't get a signal here
The negation 'no' goes before the verb. Stress 'aquí' on the end: 'ah-KEE'.
El radio no agarra señal aquí.
The radio doesn't get a signal here.
Words in this phrase
no
[noh]
Not
A word used to make a negative statement.
No estoy seguro de esta ruta.
I am not sure about this route.
agarra
[ah-GAH-rrah]
gets / picks up
From 'agarrar'; colloquially, to catch or pick up a signal.
Mi celular no agarra internet.
My phone doesn't get internet.
señal
[seh-NYAHL]
signal
Refers to a transmitted message or electronic indication.
Han cortado la señal de televisión.
They have cut the TV signal.
aquí
[ah-KEE]
here
Indicates this place or this company/location.
«Aquí» se refiere a este lugar de trabajo.
“Aquí” refers to this workplace.
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