🖥️❌

How to Say ‘The machine is broken’ in Portuguese

A máquina está avariada

uh MAH-kee-nah es-TAH a-va-RYAH-da

[uh MAH-kee-nah es-TAH a-va-RYAH-da]

💬 Usage Tip: Broken machines use está because the fault is a temporary state. Swap in other things: o multibanco está avariado.

Phrase Breakdown

A máquina

uh MAH-kee-nah

The machine

'Máquina' is stressed on the first syllable: 'MA-ki-na'.

Example

A máquina é nova.

The machine is new.

Words in this phrase

[uh]

the

Feminine singular definite article, meaning 'the'.

Example

A empresa parece aberta a novas ideias.

The company seems open to new ideas.

máquina

[MAH-kee-nah]

machine (card terminal)

A device; here the card payment terminal.

Example

A máquina do multibanco não funciona.

The card machine doesn't work.

está avariada

es-TAH a-va-RYAH-da

is broken

'Está' is 'ish-TA'. 'Avariada' is 'a-va-RYA-da'. 'Avariado/a' is the common word in Portugal for broken machines.

Example

O carro está avariado.

The car is broken down.

Words in this phrase

está

[es-TAH]

A form of the verb 'to be,' used for state or condition.

Example

Está ótima esta noite.

It is great tonight.

avariada

[a-va-RYAH-da]

broken, out of order

Feminine past participle of 'avariar'; describes a machine or device that is not working. Very common in Portugal for broken equipment.

Example

O multibanco da esquina está avariado, por isso a máquina de cartões também ficou avariada.

The ATM on the corner is broken, so the card machine is also out of order.

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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