🚫⚙️

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

Não funciona

NOWN foon-see-OH-nuh

[NOWN foon-see-OH-nuh]

💬 Usage Tip: To say something doesn't work, just put não before the verb: não funciona. It's useful for any broken appliance, e.g. o frigorífico não funciona "the fridge doesn't work".

Phrase Breakdown

Não

[NOWN]

not

Used to negate the meaning of a word or group of words.

Example

Não quero comer agora.

I don't want to eat now.

funciona

[foon-see-OH-nuh]

works

From 'funcionar', to work or function.

Example

Isto não funciona.

This doesn't work.

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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