How to say “The machine is not working” in Portuguese

Introduction

This article explains how to say the phrase The machine is not working in Brazilian Portuguese and how to use it in everyday situations. You will learn key vocabulary, useful variations, polite ways to ask for help, short dialogues for real contexts like stores, restaurants, and public transport, plus common mistakes to avoid.

Basic phrase: The machine is not working

The simplest, most direct way to say The machine is not working in Brazilian Portuguese is A máquina não está funcionando. This is a complete sentence you can use when a vending machine, ATM, ticket machine, washing machine, or any other device fails.

Breakdown of the phrase:

A máquina — the machine. Máquina is feminine, so the article is a.

não — not. The negation word used before verbs or adjectives.

está funcionando — is working. Estar + gerund (funcionando) describes current state.

Short variations and alternatives

Beginners benefit from a few shorter or more casual alternatives depending on formality and context.

A máquina não funciona — The machine does not work. Simpler present tense; useful for signs or quick reports.

O equipamento não está funcionando — The equipment is not working. Use equipamento when the device is not exactly a máquina.

Está com problema — It has a problem. Very casual; used when pointing to a specific device.

Quebrou — It broke. Informal and common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese. Use when the machine is clearly damaged or stopped working suddenly.

Useful vocabulary related to machines

ligar — to turn on

desligar — to turn off

botão — button

tela — screen

cartão — card (bank card, transit card)

moedas — coins

recibo — receipt

fila — line/queue

tentar de novo — try again

Polite ways to ask for help

When you need assistance, it helps to be polite. Use these beginner-friendly phrases in stores, laundromats, transit stations, or hotels.

Com licença, a máquina não está funcionando. Você pode ajudar, por favor? — Excuse me, the machine is not working. Can you help, please?

Desculpe, o caixa automático não funciona. Tem outro disponível? — Sorry, the ATM is not working. Is there another one available?

Oi, a máquina de café quebrou. Você pode chamar alguém? — Hi, the coffee machine broke. Can you call someone?

Common situations and examples

Here are realistic short examples showing how to use phrases in everyday contexts.

Vending machine at a bus station:

Usuário: A máquina não está funcionando.
Atendente: Desculpe. Vou reiniciar a máquina. Pode aguardar um minuto? — The machine is not working. Sorry. I will restart the machine. Can you wait a minute?

ATM at the bank:

Cliente: O caixa automático não funciona e engoliu meu cartão.
Segurança: Por favor, entre e fale com o gerente. — The ATM does not work and swallowed my card. Please come inside and speak with the manager.

Laundry room in an apartment:

Morador: A máquina de lavar quebrou no ciclo finalizado.
Síndico: Vou agendar o conserto esta semana. — The washing machine broke on the final cycle. I will schedule a repair this week.

Restaurant payment terminal:

Cliente: O cartão não está passando no terminal.
Garçom: A máquina não está funcionando. Posso cobrar em dinheiro ou no PIX? — The card is not going through the terminal. The waiter: The machine is not working. Can I charge in cash or via PIX?

Short dialogues for beginners

Dialogues help you practice natural responses and politeness.

At a convenience store:

Cliente: Com licença, a máquina de cartão não está funcionando.
Caixa: Desculpe. Aceitamos dinheiro ou PIX. — Excuse me, the card machine is not working. Sorry. We accept cash or PIX.

At a laundromat:

Usuária: O pagamento com cartão não passa. A máquina está com problema.
Funcionário: Pode usar meu celular para pagar o aplicativo? — Card payment doesn’t go through. The machine has a problem. Can you use my phone to pay the app?

How to describe different problems

Beginners should know common verbs and adjectives to specify the issue.

travar — to freeze or get stuck. Example: A máquina travou.

apagar — to turn off, to shut down (unexpected): A tela apagou.

pagar — to pay, used when payment fails: O cartão não paga / o pagamento não foi aceito.

ter erro — to show an error: A máquina deu erro.

engolir — to swallow (a card or bill): O caixa automático engoliu meu cartão.

Polite replies and troubleshooting phrases

When someone tells you a machine is not working, use these beginner-friendly replies.

Entendi. Onde fica a máquina? — I understand. Where is the machine?

Vou chamar o técnico. — I will call the technician.

Pode tentar desligar e ligar novamente? — Can you try turning it off and on again?

Tem outro aqui perto. — There is another one nearby.

Common mistakes beginners make

Many learners mix verb choices or article gender. Watch out for these typical errors.

Using o instead of a with máquina. Correct: a máquina, not o máquina.

Saying não funciona for temporary issues, when you want to emphasize current state use não está funcionando.

Directly translating is working as funcionando vs funcionando correctly. Remember funcionar means to function/work; funcionar bem means to work well.

Practical tips for real-life use

Keep your phrase short and clear when asking for help. Most staff will appreciate a polite approach and a simple description.

Show the machine and say A máquina não está funcionando or A máquina não funciona depending on the situation.

If a payment fails, say O pagamento não foi aceito or O cartão não está passando.

When in doubt, point and use Tem outro? to ask if there is another machine available.

Practice scenarios you can try

Imagine you are at a metro station and the ticket machine stops working. Practice this short exchange:

Você: A máquina de bilhetes não está funcionando.
Atendente: Pode comprar na bilheteria. — You: The ticket machine is not working. Attendant: You can buy at the ticket office.

Imagine a self-service checkout at a supermarket:

Você: O leitor de código de barras não está funcionando.
Funcionário: Vou chamar atendimento técnico. — You: The barcode reader is not working. Employee: I will call technical support.

Quick reference phrase list

A máquina não está funcionando — The machine is not working.

A máquina não funciona — The machine does not work.

O equipamento não está funcionando — The equipment is not working.

Está com problema — It has a problem.

Quebrou — It broke.

A máquina travou — The machine froze.

O caixa automático engoliu meu cartão — The ATM swallowed my card.

O pagamento não foi aceito — The payment was not accepted.

Conclusion

Knowing how to say The machine is not working in Brazilian Portuguese helps you handle everyday problems when traveling or living in Brazil. Use A máquina não está funcionando for current issues, learn short variations, and practice polite requests for help to communicate clearly and confidently in real situations.