At a Brazilian Mechanic: Explain a Car Problem in Portuguese
A specific description of when a sound or warning appears can help you communicate the problem without trying to diagnose it yourself.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Use estou ouvindo um barulho (I’m hearing a noise) or o carro está fazendo um barulho (the car is making a noise). Add when you notice it: ao frear (when braking), ao virar (when turning), or ao ligar (when starting).
Describe the symptom and when it happens
Describe what you observed rather than naming a diagnosis. A mechanic can inspect the car and explain what the problem might be.
O carro faz um barulho quando eu freio.
The car makes a noise when I brake.
Esta luz acende depois de alguns minutos.
This light comes on after a few minutes.
O ar-condicionado parou de funcionar ontem.
The air conditioning stopped working yesterday.
Ask for an explanation and an estimate
Ask what should be checked first and whether the shop can give an estimate before doing the repair. If you need time to decide, say vou pensar e retorno (I’ll think about it and get back to you).
Repeat the expected work and timing in your own words to confirm what you understood. Ask which details are estimates and which have been confirmed.
Você pode verificar de onde vem o barulho?
Can you check where the noise is coming from?
Pode me explicar o orçamento antes do conserto?
Could you explain the estimate before the repair?
Quanto tempo o serviço deve levar?
How long should the service take?
Put it into practice
Explain what you noticed and when it happens; let the mechanic assess the cause and clarify the estimate and repair plan.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Can you check where the noise is coming from”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.