engine failure

[/ˈɛndʒɪn ˈfeɪljər/]
nounpl: engine failures
falha no motor
1. A malfunction or breakdown of an engine that prevents it from operating properly or at all
The aircraft experienced engine failure shortly after takeoff.
A aeronave sofreu uma falha no motor logo após a decolagem.
2. The cessation of engine operation due to mechanical, electrical, or fuel system problems
Engine failure in the middle of the highway left the driver stranded.
A falha no motor no meio da rodovia deixou o motorista preso.
The term is particularly important in aviation contexts in both Brazil and the USA, where engine failure is a critical safety concern. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'falha no motor' is the standard technical term used in aviation, automotive, and industrial contexts. In Portugal, 'avaria' is more commonly used in everyday speech.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
motor breakdownengine malfunctionmechanical failureengine breakdown
Antonyms / Antônimos
engine operationproper functioningnormal operation

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
falha no motor
Most common term used in Brazil
São Paulo
falha de motor
Alternative formulation, widely understood
Rio de Janeiro
pane do motor
Less formal, colloquial usage
Portugal
avaria do motor
Preferred term in European Portuguese

Related Words

malfunctionbreakdownmechanicalrepairmaintenanceaviation

Related Idioms & Phrases

engine failure at a critical moment
total engine failure
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →