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How to Say ‘The card machine isn't working today.’ in Mexican Spanish

La terminal no sirve hoy.

lah ter-mee-NAHL noh SEER-veh oy

[lah ter-mee-NAHL noh SEER-veh oy]

Phrase Breakdown

La terminal

lah ter-mee-NAHL

The card machine

In Mexico 'terminal' often means the card payment machine. Stress 'NAL': ter-mi-NAL.

Example

¿Tiene terminal?

Do you have a card machine?

Words in this phrase

La

[lah]

the

Feminine singular definite article used before a feminine noun.

Example

La frase «La cultura de trabajo» empieza con «La».

The phrase “The work culture” begins with “La.”

terminal

[ter-mee-NAHL]

card terminal

The device used to process card payments.

Example

La terminal está apagada.

The card terminal is off.

no sirve hoy.

noh SEER-veh oy

isn't working today.

'Sirve' comes from 'servir' (to work or function). Stress 'SIR'.

Example

La máquina no sirve hoy.

The machine isn't working today.

Words in this phrase

no

[noh]

not

Negation word meaning 'not.' It goes before the verb.

Example

En “No soy”, 'No' niega la idea siguiente con claridad.

In “I’m not,” 'No' clearly negates the next idea.

sirve

[SEER-veh]

works / is useful

From 'servir'; in Mexico 'no sirve' means something is broken or not working.

Example

Mi teléfono no sirve.

My phone doesn't work.

hoy

[oy]

today

Means 'today.' It can imply that something special, unusual, or extra charming is happening right now.

Example

Hoy viniste con ganas de impresionar, ¿eh?

Today you came ready to impress, huh?

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