Italian Phrase
Adesso non c'è.
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to "Now there isn't it/he/she." It's used to indicate that something or someone is not present or available at the current moment. It implies a temporary absence rather than a permanent one.
When to use
You would use this phrase when looking for an object or person that you expect to be somewhere, but they are currently absent. It's suitable for informal and semi-formal contexts, like when searching for your keys or asking about a colleague's whereabouts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Adessononc'è
Adesso
This adverb means 'now' or 'at present'. It indicates the current moment and can be placed at the beginning or end of a sentence for emphasis.
non
This is the standard Italian negation. It always precedes the verb it negates. In this case, it negates 'c'è'.
c'è
This is a contraction of 'ci è', meaning 'there is'. 'Ci' indicates existence or location, and 'è' is the third-person singular of 'essere' (to be). Together, 'c'è' means 'there is' or 'it is there/available'.
🗨In Conversation
Dov'è il mio libro?
Where is my book?
Adesso non c'è.
Now it's not there.
✕Common Mistakes
Adesso non è.
Using 'non è' (it is not) instead of 'non c'è' (it is not there/available) is a common mistake. 'Non è' describes a quality or identity, while 'non c'è' describes existence or location.
Adesso non è qui.
While grammatically correct, 'Adesso non è qui' is more specific to 'not here'. 'Adesso non c'è' is more versatile, meaning 'not there' or 'not available' in a general sense, and often implies 'not here' without needing 'qui'.
↔Alternatives
Non c'è adesso.
It's not there now.
Al momento non è disponibile.
At the moment it's not available.
È assente in questo momento.
He/She is absent at this moment.
Cultural Tip
Italians are generally quite direct in conversation, and 'Adesso non c'è' is a straightforward way to state an absence. While polite, it doesn't require extensive softening. The tone of voice can convey additional nuance, such as regret or simple factual reporting.