Introduction
If you need to explain small repair problems in Brazilian Portuguese, this guide gives beginner-friendly phrases, vocabulary, and short dialogues to help you communicate clearly with handymen, mechanics, landlords, or neighbors. Learn useful questions, simple descriptions of issues, and polite ways to ask for estimates and timelines.
- Essential vocabulary for repair problems
- Key verbs to describe problems
- Simple phrases to explain what is wrong
- How to describe details: where, when, and how
- Polite ways to ask for help or a quote
- Short beginner-friendly dialogues
- How to show the problem physically
- Asking follow-up questions
- Common beginner mistakes and tips
- Simple sentences for scheduling and payment
- Realistic examples for everyday situations
- How to prepare before the repair person arrives
- Short checklist of must-know phrases
- Practice dialogue for a phone call
- Conclusion
Essential vocabulary for repair problems
Start with words that describe common problems and parts. These will let you form clear, simple sentences.
quebrado — broken
vazamento — leak
entupido — clogged
trincado — cracked
não funciona — does not work
falha — malfunction
tomada — electrical outlet
canalização — plumbing
bateria — battery
porta — door
janela — window
alarme — alarm
chave — key
martelo — hammer
Key verbs to describe problems
These verbs help you explain what is happening or what you need done.
vazar — to leak
trancar — to lock
desligar — to turn off
ligar — to turn on
quebrar — to break
consertar — to repair
trocar — to replace
ajustar — to adjust
instalar — to install
Simple phrases to explain what is wrong
Use these short, clear phrases when talking to a repair person. The first appearance of the main phrase is bolded.
Meu chuveiro está vazando
My shower is leaking
A pia da cozinha está entupida
The kitchen sink is clogged
A tomada não funciona
The outlet does not work
A porta está trancando sozinha
The door locks by itself
O vidro da janela está trincado
The window glass is cracked
O carro não liga
The car won’t start
A torneira está pingando
The faucet is dripping
How to describe details: where, when, and how
Adding simple details helps the technician diagnose the problem faster. Use short phrases for location, frequency, and sound.
Onde: na cozinha, no banheiro, na sala, na garagem
Quando: sempre, de vez em quando, só de manhã, depois de chover
Como: faz barulho, vaza água, solta fumaça, não esquenta
Example: O aquecedor da água não esquenta de manhã
The water heater does not heat in the morning
Polite ways to ask for help or a quote
These polite expressions are useful when contacting a service provider, neighbor, or landlord.
Você pode consertar isso?
Can you fix this?
Quanto custa para consertar?
How much does it cost to repair?
Você tem horário hoje?
Do you have time today?
Quando pode vir verificar?
When can you come check it?
Precisa de peças?
Do you need parts?
Short beginner-friendly dialogues
Use these dialogues as models. They show natural, short exchanges you might have on the phone or in person.
Conversation 1 — Plumber visit
Olá, tudo bem?
Olá, tudo bem. O que aconteceu?
A pia da cozinha está entupida e a água não passa.
Entendi. Posso passar aí às 10h?
Perfeito, obrigado.
Conversation 2 — Electric outlet
Bom dia, minha tomada da sala não funciona.
Tem certeza de que não é o fusível?
Sim, já troquei o fusível e ainda não funciona.
Ok, eu vou levar uma ferramenta e verificar.
Conversation 3 — Landlord and tenant
O ar-condicionado parou de funcionar.
Desde quando?
Ontem à noite, não liga mais.
Eu envio um técnico amanhã cedo.
How to show the problem physically
Sometimes showing is faster than explaining. Use these phrases when pointing things out.
Veja aqui — Look here
Está pingando aqui — It is dripping here
Escute o barulho — Listen to the noise
Fechei a torneira e ainda vaza — I closed the faucet and it still leaks
Não abre/fecha — It does not open/close
Asking follow-up questions
After a technician inspects the issue, ask these questions to understand the repair, cost, and timing.
Quanto tempo vai levar?
How long will it take?
Qual é o orçamento?
What is the estimate?
Tem garantia?
Is there a warranty?
Você pode me mostrar a peça quebrada?
Can you show me the broken part?
Common beginner mistakes and tips
Beginners often mix verb forms or forget simple prepositions. Here are practical tips to avoid misunderstandings.
Tip: Use basic present tense first: está and não funciona are clear for immediate problems. Example: O fogão não funciona.
Tip: Point to the location while saying the phrase. Visual cues help a lot.
Tip: Say when the problem started: ontem, hoje, esta manhã. Example: Começou ontem à noite.
Common mistake: Saying eu conserto when you mean preciso consertar. Use preciso consertar or você pode consertar to request help.
Common mistake: Mixing nouns: use torneira for faucet and pia for sink; using them interchangeably can confuse plumbers.
Simple sentences for scheduling and payment
Use these to confirm appointments and pay for services.
Está bem para amanhã às 9h?
Is tomorrow at 9 okay?
Eu posso pagar com cartão?
Can I pay with card?
Posso pagar em dinheiro?
Can I pay in cash?
Preciso de nota fiscal
I need a receipt
Quanto tempo de garantia?
How long is the warranty?
Realistic examples for everyday situations
Here are sample messages or notes you might send to a landlord, neighbor, or repair service.
Oi, meu ar-condicionado parou de gelar. Pode enviar alguém hoje à tarde?
Bom dia, a janela do quarto está trincada depois do vento forte. Preciso trocar o vidro.
Olá, a descarga do banheiro está vazando desde ontem. Você pode verificar amanhã?
How to prepare before the repair person arrives
Preparation makes the visit faster and reduces misunderstandings. Follow these simple steps.
1. Clear space around the problem area so the technician can work.
2. Turn off power or water if safe and you know how. Say eu desliguei a energia if you turned power off.
3. Have your ID and address ready: meu nome é …, moro no apartamento …
4. If possible, take a photo of the problem and send it beforehand with a short message: Estou enviando uma foto do vazamento.
Short checklist of must-know phrases
Keep this mini-list handy during calls or visits.
Meu … está vazando/entupido/quebrado
Você pode consertar isso?
Quanto custa?
Quando pode vir?
Posso pagar com cartão/dinheiro?
Practice dialogue for a phone call
Use this script to practice a typical phone conversation scheduling a repair.
Olá, eu preciso de um técnico. Minha máquina de lavar não drena água.
Qual é o seu endereço?
Rua das Flores, número 120, apartamento 4B.
Posso ir hoje às 15h.
Tudo bem, até mais tarde.
Conclusion
With these basic words, phrases, and dialogues in Brazilian Portuguese, you can confidently explain small repair problems and schedule help. Focus on clear, short sentences, point to the issue when possible, and use the polite questions and follow-ups provided. Over time you will expand vocabulary for more complex repairs, but these beginner-friendly tools will cover most everyday situations.
