🚿🔥💧🚫🔧

How to Say ‘The hot water isn't working.’ in Portuguese

A água quente não funciona.

uh AH-gwah KENT NOWN foon-see-OH-nuh

[uh AH-gwah KENT NOWN foon-see-OH-nuh]

💬 Usage Tip: To say something isn't working, just put não before funciona. Swap in any appliance: O frigorífico não funciona "The fridge isn't working."

Phrase Breakdown

A água quente

uh AH-gwah KENT

The hot water

'A água' blends together smoothly. 'Quente' sounds like 'KENT', with a silent final 'e'.

Example

A água quente acabou.

The hot water ran out.

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.

água

[AH-gwah]

water

Water; in restaurants you may be asked 'com gás' (sparkling) or 'sem gás' (still).

Example

Uma garrafa de água, por favor.

A bottle of water, please.

quente

[KENT]

hot

Adjective meaning high in temperature; informally also 'attractive'.

Example

O café está muito quente.

The coffee is very hot.

não funciona.

NOWN foon-see-OH-nuh

isn't working.

'Funcionar' means to work, for machines. Say 'fun-SYO-na'.

Example

O telefone não funciona.

The phone isn't working.

Words in this phrase

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.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lisbon with zero Portuguese and honestly thought I’d be pointing at menus forever. Three weeks in and I’m having real conversations with my landlord.”

Priya N., 35, Freelance Designer

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer