Italian Phrase
È saltata la corrente.
Meaning
This idiomatic expression literally translates to 'the current has jumped.' It is the most common way Italians describe a power outage or a tripped circuit breaker in a home environment.
When to use
Use this phrase when the lights suddenly go out or your appliances stop working due to an electrical failure. It is frequently used when a household circuit breaker trips because too many appliances are running at once.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Èsaltatalacorrente
Passato Prossimo with Essere
The verb 'saltare' takes the auxiliary 'essere' when used intransitively, meaning the past participle 'saltata' must agree with the feminine noun 'corrente'.
La corrente
While 'elettricità' is the technical term, 'la corrente' (the current) or 'la luce' (the light) are the standard colloquial terms for household power.
🗨In Conversation
Perché si è spento tutto all'improvviso?
Why did everything turn off all of a sudden?
È saltata la corrente.
The power went out.
✕Common Mistakes
Il potere è saltato.
Avoid using 'potere' for electricity; 'potere' refers to power as in ability or authority. Use 'corrente' or 'luce' instead.
È saltato la corrente.
The past participle must agree with the feminine subject 'la corrente,' so it must be 'saltata.'
↔Alternatives
Manca la luce.
The light is missing (the power is out).
C'è un blackout.
There is a blackout.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, domestic power contracts often have a limit of 3kW. If you run an oven, a washing machine, and a hairdryer simultaneously, the 'corrente' will likely 'saltare,' requiring you to flip the switch on the 'contatore' (meter).