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How to Say ‘It isn't working’ in Portuguese

Não está a dar

nao eh-stah ah dar

[nao eh-stah ah dar]

💬 Usage Tip: dar normally means "to give", but não está a dar is the everyday way to say something isn't working. You can use it for most things: A internet não está a dar.

Phrase Breakdown

Não está

nao eh-stah

It isn't

'Está' is often shortened in speech to 'tá'. Say it 'now shTA', with a nasal 'não'.

Example

Não está aqui.

It isn't here.

Words in this phrase

Não

[nao]

not

Used to make a verb negative.

Example

Eu não gosto dessa rota.

I do not like this route.

está

[eh-stah]

A form of 'ser' or 'estar', used to indicate state or location.

Example

O tempo está bom hoje.

The weather is good today.

a dar

ah dar

working

'Estar a dar' means 'to work' or 'to be on'. 'Estar a' plus an infinitive is the European Portuguese progressive.

Example

A televisão está a dar.

The TV is on.

Words in this phrase

[ah]

(progressive marker)

Used in 'estar a + infinitive' to express an ongoing action, like '-ing'.

Example

Estou a trabalhar.

I am working.

dar

[dar]

to work / to function

Literally 'to give'; colloquially 'não está a dar' means something isn't working.

Example

A internet não está a dar.

The internet isn't working.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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