Italian Phrase
L'aria condizionata non funziona.
Meaning
This sentence means “The air‑conditioning doesn’t work.” It states a problem with the cooling system, using a simple negative construction.
When to use
Use it when you’re staying in a hotel, at a rented apartment, in an office, or any place where you expect the air‑conditioning to be on but it isn’t. It’s a direct way to alert staff or a landlord about the issue.
✦Grammar Breakdown
L'ariacondizionatanonfunziona.
Elision (L')
The article 'la' contracts to 'l'' before a vowel sound, as in 'l'aria'.
Noun Gender
'Aria' is a feminine noun, so adjectives must agree in gender.
Adjective Agreement
'Condizionata' is the feminine singular form of the adjective, matching 'aria'.
Negation (non)
'Non' precedes the verb to make the sentence negative.
Verb Conjugation
'Funziona' is the third‑person singular present of 'funzionare' (to work).
🗨In Conversation
L'aria condizionata non funziona.
The air‑conditioning doesn’t work.
Mi dispiace, controllerò subito il termostato.
I’m sorry, I’ll check the thermostat right away.
✕Common Mistakes
La aria condizionata non funziona.
The article 'la' contracts before a vowel; use 'l'aria' instead.
Non funziona l'aria condizionata.
While word order is possible, beginners often forget the required contraction and place the negation after the verb, which is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Il condizionatore non funziona.
The air‑conditioner doesn’t work.
L'aria fresca non funziona.
The cool air isn’t working.
Il climatizzatore è guasto.
The air‑conditioner is broken.
Cultural Tip
In many Italian homes, especially older ones, central air‑conditioning is less common than portable units or window‑mounted split systems. When you report a problem, it’s polite to start with a brief apology or thank‑you phrase (e.g., “Scusi” or “Grazie”) to keep the tone courteous. In hotels, staff are accustomed to such complaints and will usually respond quickly.