Italian Phrase
Non si accende.
Meaning
Literally, 'It does not turn on.' It is used to describe a device, appliance, or light that fails to start or illuminate when you try to use it.
When to use
Use this sentence when a TV, computer, lamp, or any electronic device refuses to power up. It’s a neutral, factual statement suitable for both casual conversation and technical support contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nonsiaccende
Negation (Non)
The word 'non' is placed before the verb to make the statement negative.
Impersonal passive (si)
The pronoun 'si' creates an impersonal or passive construction, often used for actions without a clear subject.
Present tense, 3rd person singular (accende)
The verb 'accendere' conjugated in present indicative, third person singular, meaning 'turns on' or 'lights up'.
🗨In Conversation
Il televisore non si accende.
The TV doesn't turn on.
Hai provato a controllare la spina?
Did you try checking the plug?
✕Common Mistakes
Non lo accende.
Using 'lo' implies you are the one who doesn't turn it on, not that the device is broken.
Non si accendeva.
The imperfect tense changes the meaning to a past habitual action; use present for a current problem.
↔Alternatives
Non funziona.
It doesn't work.
Non parte.
It won't start.
Non si avvia.
It doesn't boot up.
Cultural Tip
In Italian, the impersonal 'si' construction is very common for describing malfunctions, especially with appliances. It sounds more natural than saying 'Io non lo accendo' (I don't turn it on) when you mean the device itself is broken.