En 15 secondes
- Used for broken objects, failed plans, or ineffective ideas.
- Place it after the noun or use it as a standalone.
- Avoid using it to describe a person's physical health.
Signification
It simply means something isn't working, whether it's a broken machine, a bad plan, or a relationship that has lost its spark.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At a hotel with a broken AC
O ar-condicionado não funciona.
The air conditioning doesn't work.
Trying a key that doesn't fit
Esta chave não funciona nesta porta.
This key doesn't work in this door.
Discussing a bad dating experience
Nós tentamos, mas não funciona.
We tried, but it doesn't work.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is often linked to the 'Custo Brasil' (the high cost of doing business due to inefficiency). People say 'nada funciona' as a general complaint about the country. Portuguese people are very direct. If something 'não funciona,' they will tell you plainly without the sugar-coating sometimes found in Brazil. In Luanda, you might hear 'está mambado' to mean something is broken or not working, though 'não funciona' is still the standard formal version. Usage is very similar to Portugal, but often delivered with a unique local intonation and rhythm.
The Person Trap
Never say 'Meu chefe não funciona' unless you want to say he is a broken machine. Use 'Meu chefe não está trabalhando'.
Add 'Ainda'
If you are fixing something, say 'Ainda não funciona' (It doesn't work yet) to show you are still trying.
En 15 secondes
- Used for broken objects, failed plans, or ineffective ideas.
- Place it after the noun or use it as a standalone.
- Avoid using it to describe a person's physical health.
What It Means
Não funciona is your go-to phrase for anything that is out of order. It is the verbal equivalent of a 'broken' sign. You use it when the Wi-Fi cuts out. You use it when your car won't start. It covers mechanical failure and abstract concepts alike. It is simple, direct, and incredibly common.
How To Use It
Place it right after the subject you are talking about. If the coffee machine is dead, say A máquina de café não funciona. You can also use it alone as a response. If someone asks if the elevator is okay, just say Não funciona. It is a complete thought on its own. No fancy grammar is required here.
When To Use It
Use it at the office when the printer jams again. Use it at a restaurant if the QR code menu won't load. It is perfect for texting a friend when a plan falls through. If you try a new gym routine and hate it, tell them Isso não funciona para mim. It is versatile and reliable.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for people's health. If a friend is sick, saying they não funcionam sounds like they are a robot. Use não está bem instead. Also, avoid it for food that has gone bad. For a rotten apple, use está estragada. Keep não funciona for systems, objects, and logic.
Cultural Background
In Brazil and Portugal, people are generally patient but honest about bureaucracy. You will hear this phrase often in public departments or old shops. It reflects a pragmatic view of the world. Sometimes things just break, and that is life. It is a phrase of shared frustration and mutual understanding.
Common Variations
If something is completely dead, add de jeito nenhum. That means 'not at all.' You might also hear está quebrado for physical breaks. In slang, some might say deu pau when a computer crashes. But não funciona remains the most polite and clear version for everyone.
Notes d'usage
This is a safe, neutral phrase. It works in a boardroom or a bar. Just remember to conjugate 'funcionar' if the subject is plural: 'Eles não funcionam'.
The Person Trap
Never say 'Meu chefe não funciona' unless you want to say he is a broken machine. Use 'Meu chefe não está trabalhando'.
Add 'Ainda'
If you are fixing something, say 'Ainda não funciona' (It doesn't work yet) to show you are still trying.
The 'Jeitinho'
In Brazil, if someone says 'não funciona,' they might follow it with 'mas a gente dá um jeito' (but we'll find a way).
Plurality
If two things are broken, remember to add the 'm': 'Eles não funcionaM'.
Exemples
6O ar-condicionado não funciona.
The air conditioning doesn't work.
A standard way to report a maintenance issue.
Esta chave não funciona nesta porta.
This key doesn't work in this door.
Describing a functional mismatch.
Nós tentamos, mas não funciona.
We tried, but it doesn't work.
Used here for emotional or relational compatibility.
O link não funciona, pode mandar de novo?
The link doesn't work, can you send it again?
Very common in digital communication.
Essa porcaria não funciona!
This piece of junk doesn't work!
Adding 'porcaria' adds a humorous touch of frustration.
Infelizmente, esse modelo não funciona para nós.
Unfortunately, this model doesn't work for us.
A polite way to say a strategy is ineffective.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'funcionar'.
O meu computador é velho e _________ devagar.
We use 'funciona' for machines like computers.
Which sentence is correct to say 'He is not working at the office today'?
Como se diz 'He is not working today'?
People 'trabalham'; machines 'funcionam'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Você quer ir ao cinema? B: Não posso, o meu carro ________.
The car is a machine that is broken.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You are trying to use a vending machine but it won't take your money.
The vending machine is not operating correctly.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Funcionar vs. Trabalhar
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesO meu computador é velho e _________ devagar.
We use 'funciona' for machines like computers.
Como se diz 'He is not working today'?
People 'trabalham'; machines 'funcionam'.
A: Você quer ir ao cinema? B: Não posso, o meu carro ________.
The car is a machine that is broken.
You are trying to use a vending machine but it won't take your money.
The vending machine is not operating correctly.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, that would sound very strange. Use 'ele é preguiçoso' (he is lazy).
Yes, it is neutral. However, 'não está funcionando' (it is not working) sounds slightly more professional.
'Está quebrado' implies physical damage (like a cracked screen). 'Não funciona' implies it just won't turn on or do its job.
You can say 'Não funciona para mim' or 'Não dá para mim'.
Yes, 'deu pau' or 'pifou' are very common in Brazil.
Yes! 'Essa receita não funciona' means the cake didn't rise or it tasted bad.
No. For that, use 'não é permitido' or 'não pode'.
You can say 'A internet caiu' or 'A internet não funciona'.
Yes, 'O remédio não funciona' means the medicine didn't cure the symptom.
Yes, 'não funciona' is perfect for that context.
Yes, 'O final do filme não funciona' means the ending was unsatisfying or illogical.
Yes, though they prefer 'não está a funcionar' for the continuous present.
Expressions liées
Não dá certo
similarIt doesn't work out / It fails
Está quebrado
similarIt is broken
Não presta
similarIt's no good / It's junk
Fora de serviço
specialized formOut of service
Dar pau
synonymTo crash / To fail (slang)
