How to say “The dryer is still running” in Portuguese

Introduction

Knowing how to say simple household phrases in Brazilian Portuguese helps in everyday life. This article explains how to say the sentence The dryer is still running in Brazilian Portuguese, plus related vocabulary, common responses, short dialogues, and beginner tips for natural, polite conversation.

Core phrase: The dryer is still running

To tell someone that the dryer is still running in Brazilian Portuguese, use the sentence A secadora ainda está ligada.

This sentence is direct, polite, and common in homes, laundromats, shared apartments, and service situations.

Breakdown of the phrase

A secadora — the dryer. Feminine noun. Use a as the definite article for feminine nouns.

secadora — dryer; a household appliance for drying clothes.

ainda — still; indicates that an action or state continues.

está — is; third person singular of the verb estar for temporary states or ongoing actions.

ligada — on / connected / running; feminine past participle used as adjective to agree with secadora.

Alternative ways to say it

You can vary the sentence slightly depending on formality and context.

A secadora está ligada — The dryer is on. Slightly less emphasis on continuing action.

A secadora ainda funciona — The dryer is still working. Emphasizes function rather than being turned on.

A secadora continua ligada — The dryer continues to be on. Slightly more formal or emphatic.

O secador de roupas ainda está ligado — The clothes dryer is still on. A longer, more explicit version; note secador is masculine, so use o and ligado.

Useful vocabulary related to dryers and laundry

secadora — dryer

máquina de lavar — washing machine

centrífuga — spin cycle / spin dryer

roupas — clothes

roupa de cama — bed linen

roupa suja — dirty clothes

lavagem — wash

ciclo — cycle

ligada / ligado — on

desligada / desligado — off

tempo restante — remaining time

cheio / vazio — full / empty

Short, natural dialogues for beginners

These mini dialogues show realistic situations at home or in a shared laundry room.

Dialogue 1: roommate conversation

— A secadora ainda está ligada?
— Sim, tem mais 15 minutos.

Translation and notes: First line asks Is the dryer still running? Second line replies Yes, it has 15 more minutes. Note how minutes are used in casual replies.

Dialogue 2: polite notice in a building laundry room

— Desculpa, a secadora está ocupada?
— Sim, a secadora ainda está ligada. Você pode usar a outra.

Translation and notes: The first person asks Excuse me, is the dryer occupied? The reply says Yes, the dryer is still running. You can use the other one. Useful for polite interaction with neighbors.

Dialogue 3: telling a family member

— Não pegue as roupas ainda, a secadora está ligada.
— Ok, vou esperar.

Translation and notes: First line says Don’t take the clothes yet, the dryer is running. Second line responds I will wait. Notice simple imperative and future intent phrases for beginners.

Common follow-up phrases and questions

Quanto tempo falta? — How much time is left?

Você quer que eu desligue? — Do you want me to turn it off?

Posso tirar as roupas quando terminar? — Can I take the clothes out when it finishes?

Está funcionando direito? — Is it working properly?

Deixe eu ver o tempo restante. — Let me check the remaining time.

Politeness and tone tips for beginners

Use desculpa or com licença when interrupting someone in a shared laundry room. Adding por favor makes requests polite. For example, Por favor, você pode desligar a secadora quando terminar? Use simple, short sentences to be clear and friendly: A secadora ainda está ligada is perfectly natural.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake: Using ficar instead of estar to mean running. Explain: Ficar can mean to become or to stay, but for machines we usually use estar or ficar ligada in casual speech. Prefer a secadora está ligada or a secadora continua ligada.

Mistake: Gender mismatch with ligado/ligada. Secadora is feminine, so say ligada. If you use secador, use ligado and o as the article.

Mistake: Saying ainda funciona when you mean temporarily running. Use ainda está ligada for on, and ainda funciona for still works generally.

Practical situational examples

Leaving a note on a laundry machine in an apartment:

Por favor, não use esta máquina. A secadora ainda está ligada.

At a laundromat counter:

O cliente na máquina 3 ainda não terminou. A secadora está ligada por mais 10 minutos.

Texting a roommate:

Ei, a secadora ainda está ligada. Não precisa voltar agora.

Asking for help:

Você consegue desligar a secadora quando terminar?

Pronunciation tips for beginners

Pronounce secadora roughly as seh-kah-DOH-rah. Put stress on the penultimate syllable DOH. Pronounce ainda as eye-NAH. Estar is es-TAR with a clear r at the end similar to English r but softer in many Brazilian accents. Ligada is lee-GAH-dah.

When speaking, keep the rhythm steady and do not rush vowel endings; Brazilian Portuguese often pronounces final vowels clearly, which helps beginners be understood.

Short practice scenarios a beginner can try

Scenario 1: You are in the building laundry room and see someone waiting. Say: A secadora ainda está ligada? Then respond: Sim, faltam 20 minutos.

Scenario 2: Your partner plans to get clothes but you see the dryer still running. Say: Não pegue as roupas, a secadora ainda está ligada.

Scenario 3: You want to be polite at a laundromat. Say: Com licença, a secadora está ocupada? If the answer is yes, ask: Quanto tempo falta?

Extra beginner tips

Tip 1: Memorize the gender with the noun. Secadora is feminine, so practice saying a secadora and a secadora está ligada together.

Tip 2: Practice short dialogues aloud. Use the simple question Quanto tempo falta? and answer with minutes, e.g., Faltam 10 minutos.

Tip 3: Listen to native speakers in casual situations, such as short videos about home chores. Notice how often people use ainda to emphasize continuing actions.

Conclusion

Learning how to say The dryer is still running in Brazilian Portuguese is straightforward: A secadora ainda está ligada. This article provided vocabulary, alternatives, dialogues, common follow-ups, pronunciation tips, and practical scenarios to help complete beginners use the phrase naturally and politely in everyday situations.