At a Phone Repair Shop in Brazil: Explain the Problem in Portuguese — Practice

Describe the phone problem

Start with what you observed rather than guessing at the cause. A tela is the screen, bateria is the battery, and carregador is the charger. Use não funciona (doesn’t work) or está quebrado (is broken) for a simple explanation.

Mention when the issue began and whether it happens every time. Keep the phone model and any important data or access needs in mind before leaving a device for service.

Ask about the estimate and timeline

Ask whether the shop can inspect the device and provide an estimate before beginning work. Orçamento means estimate, prazo means time frame, and conserto means repair.

Prices, parts, and warranties depend on the shop and device. Ask what the estimate includes and request the details in writing if you need to compare options.

Confirm the pickup instructions

Before you leave, confirm how the shop will contact you and what you need to bring when you return. If you are handing over a password or unlocking the device, ask how the shop handles access and privacy.

When the device is ready, ask what was repaired and whether there are any care instructions. Repeat the main detail to check that you understood correctly.

Remember: Prepare one sentence about the symptom, one question about the estimate, and one about the pickup. Ask the shop to clarify terms before approving a repair.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. The screen doesn’t respond to touch.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A tela não responde ao toque.

2. The battery runs down very quickly.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A bateria descarrega muito rápido.

3. The problem started yesterday.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O problema começou ontem.

4. How much does the estimate cost?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Quanto custa o orçamento?

5. How long does the repair take?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Quanto tempo leva o conserto?

6. Does this price include the part?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Este valor inclui a peça?

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Prepare one sentence about the symptom, one question about the estimate, and one about the pickup. Ask the shop to clarify terms before approving a repair.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our At a Phone Repair Shop in Brazil: Explain the Problem in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.