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How to Say ‘Yes, but the machine is broken.’ in Portuguese

Pois, mas a máquina está avariada.

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

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

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Pois is a very Portuguese "yeah, well". It admits your point while setting up a "but".

Phrase Breakdown

Pois, mas a máquina

POYSH mahsh uh MAH-kee-nah

Right, but the machine

'Pois' is a very Portuguese way to say 'right' or 'yeah'. Say it like 'poysh'. 'Mas a' runs together as 'mazà'. In 'máquina', stress the first syllable: MÁ-ki-na.

Example

Pois, mas a máquina não funciona.

Right, but the machine doesn't work.

Words in this phrase

Pois

[POYSH]

indeed / yes

A conversational word used to agree with what someone has just said.

Example

Pois, foi um grande susto.

Indeed, it was a big scare.

mas

[mahsh]

but

Used to introduce a condition or playful twist, often teasing in a flirty way.

Example

Mas não penses que me convences assim tão facilmente.

But don’t think you can convince me that easily.

[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.

'Avariada' means 'out of order' and is used for machines and cars. Stress 'tá' in 'está' (shtá). Say 'avariada' as a-va-ri-A-da.

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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