Spanish Phrase
Tengo poca señal.
Meaning
Literally, 'I have little signal.' It is used to say that your phone or device is receiving a weak or intermittent connection, often leading to dropped calls or slow internet.
When to use
Say this when you are in a place with poor mobile or Wi‑Fi coverage, such as a remote area, a basement, or a building with thick walls. It can also be used humorously to explain why you haven't responded to messages.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tengopocaseñal
Verb 'tener' (present)
Use 'tener' to express possession or a state, conjugated as 'tengo' for 'yo' in present indicative.
Quantifier 'poca'
The adjective 'poca' means 'little' and must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
Noun 'señal'
Refers to signal strength, commonly used for mobile or Wi‑Fi reception.
🗨In Conversation
¿Puedes oírme? Tu voz se corta.
Can you hear me? Your voice keeps cutting out.
Lo siento, tengo poca señal aquí.
Sorry, I have little signal here.
✕Common Mistakes
Tengo poco señal.
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun 'señal', so use 'poca' not 'poco'.
Tengo señal poca.
Adjectives of quantity usually precede the noun; place 'poca' before 'señal'.
Tengo poca señales.
The noun 'señal' is singular; do not add an 's'.
↔Alternatives
Tengo señal débil.
I have weak signal.
La señal está mala.
The signal is bad.
No hay buena cobertura.
There is no good coverage.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, people often excuse delayed replies by saying they have "poca señal" or "malas conexiones". It's polite to mention the issue rather than just ignoring the message, and it shows awareness of the local infrastructure challenges, especially in rural or mountainous regions.