Portuguese Phrase
Você está usando esta máquina?
Meaning
A direct question asking whether the listener is currently operating or making use of the machine that is nearby. It implies the speaker needs the machine or wants to confirm its availability.
When to use
Use this phrase in a workplace, gym, laboratory, or any setting where several people share equipment. It’s also handy when you’re about to start a task and need to know if the device is free.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vocêestáusandoestamáquina?
Você (pronoun)
Second‑person singular pronoun used in most of Brazil; informal but widely accepted.
está (presente do indicativo de estar)
Third‑person singular of estar; used with the gerund to form the progressive tense.
usando (gerúndio de usar)
Gerund form indicates an ongoing action, equivalent to English ‘using’.
esta (pronome demonstrativo)
Demonstrative adjective meaning ‘this’; agrees in gender and number with the noun that follows.
máquina (substantivo feminino)
Feminine noun meaning ‘machine’; the article and demonstrative must match its gender.
🗨In Conversation
Você está usando esta máquina?
Are you using this machine?
Sim, estou. Precisa de ajuda?
Yes, I am. Do you need help?
✕Common Mistakes
Você está usar esta máquina?
The progressive requires the gerund (usando), not the infinitive.
Você está usando essa máquina?
‘Essa’ points to something farther away; use ‘esta’ for a machine that’s right here.
Você usando esta máquina?
Do not omit the verb ‘estar’; the progressive in Portuguese always needs ‘estar + gerúndio’.
↔Alternatives
Você está operando esta máquina?
Are you operating this machine?
Você está usando essa máquina?
Are you using that machine?
Está usando esta máquina?
Are you using this machine?
Cultural Tip
In most of Brazil, ‘você’ is the default way to address someone informally. In very formal contexts (e.g., speaking to a senior manager or an elder), you might switch to ‘o senhor’/‘a senhora’. Also, Brazilians often prefer the demonstrative ‘esta’ for something right in front of both speakers; ‘essa’ would refer to something a little farther away.