Italian for Beginners: Reporting a Broken Air Conditioner or No Hot Water
Learn to report a broken AC or missing hot water in Italian, say 'The air conditioning isn't working,' and ask when a repair will happen.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When something breaks in your apartment or hotel room in Italy, you need to report the problem clearly, not order a new item. This lesson teaches beginner-level Italian for saying that the air conditioning is not working, that there is no hot water, and for asking when someone will come to repair it. You will use the verb funzionare (to work, to function), the structure non c'è (there isn't), and polite repair-time questions. These phrases are useful in hotels, rented apartments, and when speaking with a landlord or building manager.
By the end, you can…
- say that the air conditioning is not working in Italian.
- report that there is no hot water.
- ask when a repair will be done and understand a simple timeline.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
L'aria condizionata non funziona.
The air conditioning isn't working.
lah-REE-ah kon-dee-tsyo-NAH-tah non foon-TSYOH-nah
Standard neutral report. Use funzionare for machines and systems; it does not mean 'to play' here.
Non c'è acqua calda.
There is no hot water.
non cheh AH-kwah KAL-dah
Use non c'è for one missing thing. For plural missing things, use non ci sono, for example Non ci sono asciugamani (There are no towels).
L'aria condizionata è rotta.
The air conditioning is broken.
lah-REE-ah kon-dee-tsyo-NAH-tah eh ROT-tah
Use rotta because aria condizionata is feminine. For a masculine noun, use rotto, for example Il riscaldamento è rotto (The heating is broken).
Quando viene il tecnico?
When is the technician coming?
KWAN-doh VYEH-neh eel TEK-nee-koh
A direct but polite question. In a hotel, reception may say manderemo un tecnico (we will send a technician).
Quanto tempo ci vuole per la riparazione?
How long does the repair take?
KWAHN-toh TEM-poh chee VWOH-leh per lah ree-pah-rah-TSYOH-neh
Literally 'How much time is needed for the repair?' Useful for asking about a timeline without sounding demanding.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Use non funziona for a device or system that should work but does not: L'aria condizionata non funziona. Il riscaldamento non funziona. Use non c'è when something is absent: Non c'è acqua calda. Non c'è corrente (There is no electricity). For a broken object, use è rotto or è rotta: Il condizionatore è rotto. La caldaia è rotta. To ask about timing, use Quando viene...? or Quanto tempo ci vuole...? These patterns let you report the problem first, then ask for the repair timeline.
When to use it
In a hotel, call or visit reception and say: Buongiorno, l'aria condizionata non funziona. In a rented apartment, message the landlord: Non c'è acqua calda da ieri (There has been no hot water since yesterday). If you need a timeframe, ask: Quando viene il tecnico? or Quanto tempo ci vuole? In formal situations, use the polite Lei form with the landlord or receptionist: Può mandare qualcuno? (Can you send someone?). With friends or family, use the tu form: Puoi chiamare il tecnico? (Can you call the technician?).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buongiorno, l'aria condizionata non funziona.
Good morning, the air conditioning isn't working.bwon-JOR-noh, lah-REE-ah kon-dee-tsyo-NAH-tah non foon-TSYOH-nahMi dispiace. Mando subito un tecnico.
I'm sorry. I'll send a technician right away.mee dee-SPYAH-cheh. MAN-doh SOO-bee-toh oon TEK-nee-kohGrazie. Quando viene il tecnico?
Thank you. When is the technician coming?GRAH-tsyeh. KWAN-doh VYEH-neh eel TEK-nee-kohOggi pomeriggio, verso le quattro.
This afternoon, around four o'clock.OH-jee poh-meh-REE-joh, VER-soh leh KWAHT-trohA little context goes a long way
In Italy, repair timelines are often expressed with approximate phrases such as verso le quattro (around four), domani mattina (tomorrow morning), or entro oggi (by today). In hotels, reception usually handles the report; in a private rental, contact the landlord or property manager. Directness is normal when reporting a problem, but adding Buongiorno or Mi scusi keeps the tone polite. Regional differences exist: in some areas, people may say il condizionatore instead of l'aria condizionata, and caldaia is common for the water heater.
One thing to watch for
L'aria condizionata non è funzionare.
Try this instead: Do not combine è with the infinitive funzionare. Say L'aria condizionata non funziona. If you want to use è, use an adjective: L'aria condizionata è rotta.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'The air conditioning isn't working' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
L'aria condizionata non funziona.
This uses non funziona, the standard way to say a machine or system is not working. You may also hear non va, which is more informal.
2How do you report that there is no hot water?
Show a sample answer
Non c'è acqua calda.
Non c'è means 'there is not.' Use it for one missing item. For more than one, use non ci sono, for example Non ci sono asciugamani.
3How do you ask when the technician is coming?
Show a sample answer
Quando viene il tecnico?
Quando means 'when,' and viene means 'comes.' In formal contexts, you can also ask Quando arriva il tecnico? (When does the technician arrive?).
Report the problem first with non funziona or non c'è, then ask Quando viene il tecnico? or Quanto tempo ci vuole? to get a clear repair timeline.
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