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How to Say ‘The card machine is broken today.’ in Traditional Chinese

刷卡機今天壞了。

shuā kǎ jī jīn tiān huài le

[shuākǎjī jin tyan huài le]

🇹🇼 In Taiwan: Saying "broken today" is a common, face-saving way to insist on cash. You can politely suggest an EasyCard or stopping at a convenience store ATM.

Phrase Breakdown

刷卡機

shuā kǎ jī

[shuākǎjī]

card reader; card machine

A machine used to process card payments.

Example

刷卡機在前面。

The card machine is up front.

今天壞了。

jīn tiān huài le

broke down today

This tells when something stopped working. 壞 is fourth tone, short and falling: huài.

Example

我的手機今天壞了。

My phone broke today.

Words in this phrase

今天

jīn tiān

[jin tyan]

today

Refers to the current day; often used when talking about today's event or schedule.

Example

今天的活動讓我更了解這家公司。

Today’s event helped me understand this company better.

壞

huài

[huài]

broken

Not working; damaged.

Example

我的手機壞了。

My phone is broken.

了

le

[le]

completed action marker

Indicates an action has been completed.

Example

他已經走了。

He has already left.

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