At a Bike Repair Shop in Brazil: Explain a Problem in Portuguese — Practice

Describe the problem you noticed

Oficina de bicicletas is a bike repair shop, and pneu furado means flat tire. Describe what happened and when you noticed it. If you do not know the technical name, point to the part and explain what it does.

Common words include corrente (chain), freio (brake), and roda (wheel). A clear description helps the mechanic inspect the right part, but the shop should diagnose the bicycle.

Ask for an estimate and completion time

Orçamento means estimate or quote. Ask what the inspection and repair will cost and when the bicycle might be ready. The mechanic can explain whether the price changes after inspection.

Do not agree to extra work you do not understand. Ask the staff member to name the part and explain why the repair is recommended.

Confirm what was repaired

When you return, ask which work was completed and whether a replaced part is covered by any shop policy. Keep the receipt and follow any adjustment or pickup instructions the mechanic gives.

If a brake still feels unusual, tell the mechanic and ask them to check it before riding. Follow the shop’s advice about whether the bicycle is ready for use.

Remember: Describe the symptom, ask for a quote before agreeing to work, and confirm that the shop has checked any safety-related repair.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. The tire is flat. Can you repair it?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O pneu está furado. Vocês podem consertar?

2. The chain came off while I was riding.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A corrente caiu quando eu estava pedalando.

3. Could you give me an estimate before the repair?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você pode me passar um orçamento antes do conserto?

4. When should the bike be ready?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Quando a bicicleta deve ficar pronta?

5. Which parts were replaced?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Quais peças foram trocadas?

6. Could you check the brake before I leave?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você pode conferir o freio antes de eu sair?

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Describe the symptom, ask for a quote before agreeing to work, and confirm that the shop has checked any safety-related repair.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our At a Bike Repair Shop in Brazil: Explain a Problem in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.