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How to Say ‘It doesn't work with waiters’ in Portuguese

Não funciona com empregados

nowng foon-see-OH-nuh kohng en-preh-GAH-doosh

[nowng foon-see-OH-nuh kohng en-preh-GAH-doosh]

Phrase Breakdown

Não funciona

nowng foon-see-OH-nuh

Doesn't work

'Funciona' means 'it works' or 'it functions'. Stress the 'ci': fun-CI-o-na.

Example

A máquina não funciona.

The machine doesn't work.

Words in this phrase

Não

[nowng]

not / no

A common negation word meaning 'not' or 'no'.

Example

Não precisavas de trazer nada, e Não torna a frase negativa.

You didn't need to bring anything, and 'Não' makes the sentence negative.

funciona

[foon-see-OH-nuh]

works

From 'funcionar', to work or function.

Example

Isto não funciona.

This doesn't work.

com empregados

kohng en-preh-GAH-doosh

with waiters

'Com' (with) links smoothly to 'empregados'. The final 's' sounds like 'sh'.

Example

Falei com empregados simpáticos.

I spoke with friendly waiters.

Words in this phrase

com

[kohng]

with

Preposition used to connect an idea to a quality, person, or thing.

Example

Com experiência internacional, o candidato destaca-se mais.

With international experience, the candidate stands out more.

empregados

[en-preh-GAH-doosh]

waiters

Plural of 'empregado'.

Example

Os empregados são simpáticos.

The waiters are nice.

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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