Portuguese · Condomínio
The lift or the stairwell light is broken: what to say in Portuguese
The lift is broken, or the light in the stairwell isn't working, and you tell a neighbour.
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How it's done. Faults in shared areas are reported to the building management (administração do condomínio) - the phone number is often posted by the entrance.Prepared by the Movko team, November 2026. This is language help, not legal or medical advice: check the rules with the office itself.
Cheat sheet for your visit
The first phrase is open: tap ▶ to listen, or “Show” to show it to the other person. The rest of the dialogue is in the course in the app.
1
YOU START
O elevador está avariado outra vez.
Oo ee-lih-vuh-DOR shtah uh-vuh-RYAH-doo OH-truh vesh.
The lift is out of order again.
Or say:A luz da escada não acende.
Uh loozh duh SHKAH-duh now uh-SAYND.
THEY SAY
Pois, já ligaram à administração.Poysh, zhah lee-GAH-row uh uhd-mee-neesh-ruh-SOW.
Yes, they've already phoned the management.
They might also say:
O número está no quadro da entrada.
Oo NOOM-roo shtah noo KWAH-droo duh ayn-TRAH-duh.
The number is on the board at the entrance.
2
YOU FINISH
Obrigado. Então vou ligar também.
Oh-bree-GAH-doo. Ayn-TOW voh lee-GAHR tuhm-BAYN.
Thank you. Then I'll call too.
THEY SAY
De nada!d NAH-duh!
You're welcome!
They might also say:
Não tem de quê!
now tayn d keh!
Don't mention it!
Disponha!
deesh-POH-nyuh!
Any time!
The course is in the app
This dialogue is part of the course “Portuguese for life in Portugal”: 416 situations with audio, a pronunciation guide and spaced review.
On the website the first dialogue, the 112 category, the rescue phrases and the “Basics” are fully open.
Words worth knowing
elevador
ee-lih-vuh-DOR
noun
lift
está
shtah
verb
is, is located (now)
avariado
uh-vuh-RYAH-doo
adjective
broken, out of order
vez
vesh
noun
time (outra vez - again)
já
zhah
adverb
already
ligaram
lee-GAH-row
verb
called
12 more words, with explanations, base forms and tap-a-word help, are in the app.
If you did not understand
Pode falar mais devagar, por favor?
Pod fuh-LAHR mighzh dvuh-GAHR, poor fuh-VOR?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
Similar situations
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