Portuguese Phrase
Tenta outra máquina, por favor.
Meaning
A polite request asking someone to use a different machine. It can be said when a machine is out of order, occupied, or simply not working as expected.
When to use
Use this phrase in everyday situations such as laundromats, arcades, gyms, or any place with multiple machines. It’s informal (tu) but softened by ‘por favor’, making it appropriate among friends, coworkers, or even with service staff when you’re on familiar terms.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tentaoutramáquina,porfavor.
Imperative (tu) of 'tentar'
‘Tenta’ is the informal second‑person singular imperative of the verb ‘tentar’ (to try). Use it with people you address as ‘tu’.
Adjective agreement
‘outra’ agrees in gender and number with the noun ‘máquina’ (both feminine singular).
Noun gender
‘máquina’ is a feminine noun, so any accompanying adjectives or articles must be feminine.
Polite phrase ‘por favor’
‘por favor’ is placed after the request to soften it; it works in both formal and informal contexts.
🗨In Conversation
A máquina de lavar está travada.
The washing machine is jammed.
Tenta outra máquina, por favor.
Try another machine, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Tente outra máquina, por favor.
‘tente’ is the formal imperative (você). Use it only if you need a formal tone; with ‘por favor’ and a familiar audience, ‘tenta’ is more natural.
Tenta outra maquina, por favor.
Missing the accent on ‘máquina’; the accent indicates the stressed syllable and is required in correct spelling.
Tenta outra máquina, porfavor.
‘por favor’ is two separate words; writing it as one word is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Use outra máquina, por favor.
Use another machine, please.
Por favor, experimente outra máquina.
Please, try another machine.
Poderia tentar outra máquina, por favor?
Could you try another machine, please?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil and Portugal, the informal imperative ‘tenta’ is common among friends or when you have a familiar relationship with the listener. In more formal settings you would switch to the formal imperative ‘tente’. Adding ‘por favor’ makes the request courteous, and it’s perfectly acceptable to use the informal form with ‘por favor’ in everyday interactions.