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Italian Phrase

C'è una sala computer?

/tʃe ˈuna ˈsa.la komˈpjuːtɛr/
Meaning"Is there a computer room?"
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Meaning

The speaker is asking whether a computer room (a place equipped with computers for public or student use) exists in the current location, such as a school, university, library, or office building.

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When to use

Use this question at reception desks, information points, or when you arrive at a new campus and need to locate the place where you can work on a computer. It’s also handy when you’re planning a visit and want to know if the venue offers a dedicated computer area.

✦Grammar Breakdown

C'èunasalacomputer?

1

C'è (ci è)

C'è is the contraction of ci è, the impersonal form meaning 'there is' used for singular nouns.

2

Indefinite article una

Una is the feminine singular indefinite article, matching the gender of sala.

3

Compound noun 'sala computer'

In Italian, a noun can be directly followed by another noun to form a compound (e.g., sala computer = computer room). The second noun stays in its base form.

4

Question mark placement

Italian uses only the final question mark in informal writing; the opening question mark (¿) is not used.

🗨In Conversation

A

C'è una sala computer?

Is there a computer room?

Sì, è al secondo piano, accanto alla biblioteca.

Yes, it’s on the second floor, next to the library.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ci sono una sala computer?

    Use C'è for singular nouns; 'Ci sono' is for plural.

  • C'è una sala di computer?

    The preposition 'di' is unnecessary in this fixed compound; it sounds unnatural.

  • C'è una sala computers?

    Computer stays singular in Italian even when it refers to many machines.

↔Alternatives

  • C'è una sala informatica?

    Is there a computer lab?

  • C'è un laboratorio di informatica?

    Is there a computer laboratory?

  • C'è una stanza con computer?

    Is there a room with computers?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italian schools and universities the term 'sala computer' is common, especially in the north, while 'laboratorio informatico' sounds more formal and is often used in official documents. Remember that computer is masculine (il computer), but when it follows another noun as a modifier it does not change its gender: sala computer, not *sala computera*.