Italian Phrase
Non ho acqua calda.
Meaning
Literally, ‘I don’t have hot water.’ It is used to state that hot water is unavailable, usually for a shower, kitchen tap, or heating system.
When to use
You would say this in a hotel room, an apartment, or any place where you expect hot water but it’s missing. It’s a straightforward way to alert staff or a landlord about the problem.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nonhoacquacalda
Non (negation)
The adverb 'non' negates the verb that follows it; it is placed directly before the verb.
ho (avere, 1st person singular)
‘ho’ is the present indicative of ‘avere’ meaning ‘I have’; it is used for possession or existence.
acqua (feminine noun)
‘acqua’ means ‘water’; it is a feminine singular noun, so any adjective must agree in gender and number.
calda (adjective agreement)
‘calda’ is the feminine singular form of the adjective ‘caldo’ (hot) and must match the gender of ‘acqua’.
🗨In Conversation
Non ho acqua calda nella doccia.
I don’t have hot water in the shower.
Mi dispiace, chiamerò subito il tecnico.
I’m sorry, I’ll call the technician right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Non ho acqua calde.
Adjectives must agree with the feminine singular noun ‘acqua’; the correct form is ‘calda’.
Non ho l'acqua calda.
While not grammatically wrong, the article ‘l’’ is usually omitted in this construction unless you are referring to a specific known supply of hot water.
Non ho acqua calda?
If you intend a statement, omit the question mark; use a question mark only when you’re actually asking if there is hot water.
↔Alternatives
Non c'è acqua calda.
There is no hot water.
Manca l'acqua calda.
Hot water is missing.
Non ho acqua calda nella cucina.
I don’t have hot water in the kitchen.
Cultural Tip
In many Italian homes, hot water (acqua calda) is supplied by a central boiler that also heats the radiators. In hotels, guests often report a lack of hot water to the reception, and staff will usually send a maintenance person quickly. Remember that ‘acqua’ is always feminine, even though it ends with -a, so adjectives must be in the feminine form (calda, fredda, limpida, etc.).