Introduction
Learning how to react when someone says the cash machine is broken is a practical skill for traveling or living in Brazil. This article teaches beginner-friendly Portuguese phrases, vocabulary, and short dialogues you can use right away. Focus is on polite, simple responses and questions to help you handle the situation calmly and clearly.
- Why this situation is important
- Key vocabulary
- Common phrases to use when someone says the cash machine is broken
- How to respond politely in Portuguese
- Short dialogues for beginners
- Useful follow-up questions
- Short practical sentences for everyday use
- Tips for pronunciation and politeness
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Situations and realistic examples
- How to ask for help in simple steps
- Quick reference cheat sheet
- Errors learners make and corrections
- Extra vocabulary for related situations
- Short role-play for practice
- Final tips for beginners
- Conclusion
Why this situation is important
Cash machines (ATMs) are common in Brazil, and sometimes they are out of service. Knowing basic phrases helps you ask for help, explain the problem, and find alternatives. For beginners, this topic is useful because it involves everyday vocabulary like dinheiro, cartão, banco, and phrases to ask questions or offer help.
Key vocabulary
caixa eletrônico – cash machine, ATM
quebrado – broken
não está funcionando – not working
cartão – card
dinheiro – cash, money
fila – line, queue
banco – bank
senha – PIN, password
sacar – to withdraw
recibo – receipt
Common phrases to use when someone says the cash machine is broken
O caixa eletrônico está quebrado – The cash machine is broken
Não está funcionando – It is not working
Você pode tentar outro caixa? – Can you try another machine?
Tem outro banco por perto? – Is there another bank nearby?
Posso pagar com cartão? – Can I pay with a card?
Preciso de dinheiro – I need cash
Onde fica o caixa mais próximo? – Where is the nearest ATM?
How to respond politely in Portuguese
When someone tells you the ATM is broken, your response depends on your role. Are you the customer, a bystander offering help, or a bank employee? Here are simple, polite replies for each role.
As a customer
Ah, que pena – Oh, what a shame (use to show sympathy)
Você sabe se tem outro por aqui? – Do you know if there is another one around here?
Vou tentar outro caixa – I will try another machine
Posso usar o seu celular para ver o mapa? – Can I use your phone to check the map?
Offering help as a bystander
Precisa de ajuda? – Do you need help?
Quer que eu chame alguém do banco? – Do you want me to call someone from the bank?
Posso tentar novamente? – Can I try again?
Tem alguém na fila para tentar mais tarde – There is someone in line to try later (use to show the situation)
As a bank employee
Desculpe, o caixa está temporariamente fora de serviço – Sorry, the machine is temporarily out of service
O senhor pode usar o caixa da agência ali – You can use the branch ATM over there
Se quiser, podemos verificar o problema – If you want, we can check the problem
Posso ajudar com um saque no guichê – I can help with a withdrawal at the counter
Short dialogues for beginners
These dialogues are realistic and short. Each line is labeled by role to make learning easy.
Customer: O caixa eletrônico está quebrado?
Local: Sim, não está funcionando. Tem outro na esquina.
Customer: Posso tentar de novo?
Bystander: Claro, só não coloque a senha agora.
Customer: Preciso de dinheiro. O que faço?
Bank employee: Posso fazer o saque no guichê. Tenha seu documento.
Useful follow-up questions
After hearing the ATM is out of order, ask these simple questions to get more information.
Desde quando está assim? – Since when has it been like this?
Você já chamou o banco? – Did you already call the bank?
O problema é com o meu cartão? – Is the problem with my card?
Tem outra opção de saque por aqui? – Is there another withdrawal option nearby?
Short practical sentences for everyday use
Carry these sentences in your head or phone for quick use.
Onde fica o caixa mais próximo? – Where is the nearest ATM?
Posso sacar no atendimento? – Can I withdraw at the teller?
Meu cartão sumiu no caixa eletrônico – My card got stuck in the ATM (use only if this happens)
O caixa não aceita meu cartão – The ATM is not accepting my card
Tips for pronunciation and politeness
Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation can be simplified for beginners. For caixa eletrônico, pronounce as kai-sa eh-leh-tro-NEE-ko. For quebrado, say keh-BRAH-doo. Use desculpe or com licença when interrupting someone.
Politeness: Use por favor at the end of requests. For example: Você pode me ajudar, por favor? This is a friendly and safe way to ask for help in Brazil.
Common mistakes to avoid
Avoid using literal translations from English that may sound strange in Portuguese. For example, do not say Eu preciso de sacar; the correct form is Preciso sacar or Preciso de dinheiro.
Do not use Portugal-specific words like multibanco. In Brazil, stick to caixa eletrônico or ATM (often used informally).
Situations and realistic examples
Here are short real-life situations and simple responses you can use as a beginner.
Scenario: You are in a supermarket and the ATM is broken.
Say: O caixa eletrônico não está funcionando. Tem outro por perto?
Scenario: Your card is stuck and the machine shows an error.
Say: O meu cartão ficou preso. O que eu faço?
Scenario: You need cash to pay a taxi and the ATM is out of service.
Say: O caixa está quebrado. Posso pagar com cartão?
How to ask for help in simple steps
Use this 3-step pattern to get assistance quickly.
Step 1: State the problem briefly: O caixa eletrônico está quebrado
Step 2: Ask a clear question: Tem outro por aqui?
Step 3: Offer or accept a solution: Posso pagar com cartão? or Vou na outra agência
Quick reference cheat sheet
Short phrases to memorize for fast use.
O caixa eletrônico está quebrado
Não está funcionando
Onde fica o caixa mais próximo?
Posso sacar no guichê?
Você pode me ajudar, por favor?
Errors learners make and corrections
Learners often omit articles or use direct English grammar. Incorrect: Eu preciso sacar dinheiro. Better: Preciso sacar dinheiro or Preciso de dinheiro.
Another error: Saying Eu necessito instead of the natural Preciso. Use Preciso in daily speech.
Extra vocabulary for related situations
envelope – envelope (used for deposits)
transferência – transfer
saldo – balance
bloqueado – blocked
erro – error
Short role-play for practice
Use this mini role-play with a friend or simple voice recording to practice real responses.
Person A: O caixa eletrônico está quebrado
Person B: Que chato. Tem outro ali na rua?
Person A: Não sei. Vou procurar no aplicativo do banco.
Final tips for beginners
Keep phrases short and slow. Brazilians appreciate polite words like por favor and obrigado/obrigada. If you are unsure, point to the machine and say não está funcionando? which often gets a quick answer.
Conclusion
Handling a broken cash machine in Brazil is simple with a few key phrases and polite questions. Memorize the short vocabulary and sample replies, practice the short dialogues, and use the 3-step help pattern to resolve the situation quickly. These beginner-friendly tools will help you stay calm and communicate effectively when an ATM is out of service.
