Portuguese Phrase
O ar‑condicionado funciona bem?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether the air‑conditioner is operating properly or providing sufficient cooling. It can be used to check the performance of the unit or to ask for a repair.
When to use
Use this question when you enter a room, hotel suite, office, or any place with an air‑conditioning system and you want to know if it is working well, especially before turning it on or when you suspect a problem.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oar-condicionadofuncionabem?
Definite article (O)
The masculine singular article 'o' agrees with the noun 'ar‑condicionado' and introduces the subject.
Compound noun (ar‑condicionado)
A hyphenated compound noun; the first part 'ar' (air) is a noun, the second part 'condicionado' is a past participle used as an adjective.
Present indicative (funciona)
Third‑person singular of the verb 'funcionar' meaning 'to work/operate'.
Adverb of manner (bem)
Placed after the verb to describe how well something works.
Yes‑no question formation
In spoken Portuguese the intonation rises at the end; in writing the question mark signals the interrogative.
🗨In Conversation
O ar‑condicionado funciona bem?
Does the air‑conditioner work well?
Sim, está frio e silencioso.
Yes, it’s cold and quiet.
✕Common Mistakes
O ar‑condicionado está bem?
Using 'está' changes the nuance to a temporary state; 'funciona' is preferred when asking about the device’s operation.
O ar condicionado funciona bem?
Missing the hyphen makes the phrase look like two separate nouns and is considered a spelling error.
O ar‑condicionado funciona bom?
‘Bom’ is an adjective meaning ‘good’; the adverb ‘bem’ correctly modifies the verb ‘funciona’.
↔Alternatives
O ar‑condicionado está funcionando bem?
Is the air‑conditioner functioning well?
O ar‑condicionado está bom?
Is the air‑conditioner good?
O ar‑condicionado está em boas condições?
Is the air‑conditioner in good condition?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, air‑conditioning is common in offices, malls, and hotels, but it is polite to ask about its performance before demanding a lower temperature. Using the verb 'funcionar' focuses on the device’s operation, while 'estar' emphasizes its current state. Also, remember to keep the hyphen in 'ar‑condicionado' – dropping it can look informal or incorrect.