Italian Phrase
L'acqua è calda?
Meaning
A simple yes/no question asking whether the water is hot. It can refer to drinking water, bath water, or any liquid that might be heated.
When to use
Use it in the kitchen when checking the temperature of water for tea or coffee, in the bathroom before a shower, or at a restaurant when you want to know if the tap water is hot enough for a beverage.
✦Grammar Breakdown
L'acquaècalda
Articolo + nome femminile
L' is the elided form of la before a vowel; acqua is a feminine noun, so the article agrees in gender.
Verbo essere (3ª sing.)
è is the present indicative of essere for third‑person singular, used for identity, state or description.
Aggettivo concordato
calda is the feminine singular form of caldo; adjectives must match the gender and number of the noun they describe.
🗨In Conversation
L'acqua è calda?
Is the water hot?
Sì, è molto calda. Vuoi che la lasci raffreddare?
Yes, it’s very hot. Do you want me to let it cool down?
✕Common Mistakes
L'acqua è caldo?
Caldo is the masculine form; because acqua is feminine, the adjective must be calda.
L'acqua è calde?
Calde is the feminine plural, but acqua is singular.
L'acqua e calda?
The verb needs the accent (è) to distinguish it from the conjunction e (and).
↔Alternatives
L'acqua è calda?
Is the water hot?
L'acqua è tiepida?
Is the water warm?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, the temperature of tap water varies by region and season. When you ask "L'acqua è calda?" in a café, you’re usually referring to the water for a hot drink, not the drinking water that is often served cold. Politeness matters – a friendly tone and a smile make the question sound natural.