Portuguese Phrase
Aqui o sinal do GPS está fraco.
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to 'Here the signal of the GPS is weak.' It's used to indicate that your Global Positioning System device or app is not receiving a strong signal, often leading to inaccurate location data or difficulty in navigation. The word 'fraco' means weak, and 'sinal' refers to the signal.
When to use
You would typically use this phrase when you are in an area with poor satellite reception, such as indoors, in a tunnel, or in a remote location. It's a common complaint when trying to use navigation apps on your phone or a dedicated GPS device.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Aquio sinaldo GPSestáfraco
Aqui
'Aqui' means 'here' and indicates the current location. It's an adverb of place.
o sinal
'O sinal' means 'the signal'. 'O' is the masculine definite article, and 'sinal' is a masculine noun.
do GPS
'Do GPS' means 'of the GPS'. 'Do' is a contraction of 'de' (of/from) and 'o' (the), indicating possession or relation. GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System.
está
'Está' is the third-person singular conjugation of the verb 'estar' (to be). It's used for temporary states, conditions, or locations, which is appropriate for a signal's strength.
fraco
'Fraco' means 'weak'. It's an adjective that describes the noun 'sinal' (signal). It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
🗨In Conversation
Onde estamos? Meu GPS não está funcionando.
Where are we? My GPS isn't working.
Ah, sim. Aqui o sinal do GPS está fraco.
Oh, right. Here the GPS signal is weak.
✕Common Mistakes
Aqui o sinal do GPS é fraco.
Using 'ser' (é) instead of 'estar' (está) is incorrect here. 'Ser' is for permanent characteristics, while 'estar' is for temporary states or locations. A weak signal is a temporary condition.
Aqui o sinal do GPS tem fraco.
Using 'ter' (tem) is incorrect. While 'ter' can mean 'to have', it's not used to describe the state of a signal. 'Estar' is the correct verb for describing conditions.
↔Alternatives
Não tenho sinal de GPS aqui.
I don't have GPS signal here.
O GPS está sem sinal.
The GPS is without signal.
A recepção do GPS está ruim aqui.
The GPS reception is bad here.
Cultural Tip
In Portuguese-speaking countries, especially Brazil, it's common to hear people complain about connectivity issues, whether it's mobile data, Wi-Fi, or GPS. This phrase is very practical for everyday situations, particularly when driving or trying to find a location in urban or rural areas where signal can be inconsistent. People often use 'GPS' as a direct loanword, pronounced 'gee-peh-ESS' or 'zhee-peh-ESS' depending on the region.