The air conditioning isn't working
in SpanishEl aire acondicionado no funciona.
/ehl EYE-reh ah-kohn-dee-syoh-NAH-doh noh foon-SYOH-nah/
This is the most direct, common, and universally understood way to state that the air conditioning is not operating correctly. It's appropriate in any situation.
When it's hot and the AC gives up, you'll need the right words. 'El aire acondicionado no funciona' is the universal phrase to get help.
💬Other Ways to Say It
El aire acondicionado está roto.
/ehl EYE-reh ah-kohn-dee-syoh-NAH-doh ehs-TAH ROH-toh/
This translates to 'The air conditioning is broken.' It's slightly more direct than 'no funciona' and implies a physical problem.
El aire no enfría.
/ehl EYE-reh noh ehn-FREE-ah/
Meaning 'The air isn't cooling.' This is a very common and practical way to describe the problem, focusing on the result rather than the mechanics.
No funciona el aire acondicionado.
/noh foon-SYOH-nah ehl EYE-reh ah-kohn-dee-syoh-NAH-doh/
This is the same as the primary translation, just with the word order flipped. It's extremely common and sounds very natural.
El aire acondicionado no anda.
/ehl EYE-reh ah-kohn-dee-syoh-NAH-doh noh AHN-dah/
In many parts of Latin America, especially the Southern Cone, the verb 'andar' is used informally to mean 'to work' for machines. It's a common substitute for 'funcionar'.
El aire acondicionado está estropeado.
/ehl EYE-reh ah-kohn-dee-syoh-NAH-doh ehs-TAH ehs-troh-peh-AH-doh/
'Estropeado' is a very common word in Spain for 'broken' or 'damaged,' especially for appliances. It's the local equivalent of 'roto' in this context.
El A/A no funciona.
/ehl ah-ah noh foon-SYOH-nah/
This uses the common abbreviation for 'aire acondicionado', which is A/A (or sometimes A/C). The letters are pronounced individually: 'ah-ah'.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here's a quick guide to choosing the best phrase based on your situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| El... no funciona | Neutral | Never. This phrase is always appropriate. | |
| El... está roto | Neutral | If you're unsure if it's actually broken (maybe it's just unplugged). | |
| El aire no enfría | Neutral | If the machine won't turn on at all. | |
| El... no anda | Informal | Formal situations or when speaking with someone from Spain. | |
| El... está estropeado | Neutral | In Latin America, where 'roto' or 'dañado' are much more common. |
📈Difficulty Level
The word 'acondicionado' has five syllables and can be a mouthful for beginners. The 'cio' sound (like 'syoh') can also be tricky.
The basic structure is simple (Subject + no + verb). The main grammatical hurdle is remembering to use 'funcionar' for machines, not 'trabajar'.
It's a straightforward complaint, but politeness is key. Understanding that AC isn't always a standard amenity helps manage expectations and tone.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to use 'funcionar' instead of 'trabajar'
- Pronouncing 'acondicionado' smoothly and correctly
- Knowing when to use 'está roto' vs. 'no funciona'
💡Examples in Action
Disculpe, el aire acondicionado de mi habitación no funciona. ¿Podría enviar a alguien a revisarlo?
Excuse me, the air conditioning in my room isn't working. Could you send someone to check it?
Te llamo porque el aire no enfría nada y hace muchísimo calor en el piso.
I'm calling you because the air isn't cooling at all and it's extremely hot in the apartment.
Creo que el climatizador del coche está roto, solo echa aire caliente.
I think the car's climate control is broken, it only blows hot air.
¡Qué agobio! Con este calor y el aire acondicionado que no anda.
This is so overwhelming! With this heat and the air conditioning that isn't working.
🌍Cultural Context
AC is a Luxury, Not a Given
In many Spanish-speaking countries, especially in older buildings or more temperate climates like parts of Spain or Mexico City, air conditioning is not standard. Complaining about it should be done politely, as it might not be seen as the essential utility it is in other parts of the world.
Patience with Repairs
The sense of urgency for repairs can sometimes be more relaxed than what you might be used to. A polite, friendly, and patient approach when reporting the problem will almost always get you better and faster results than an angry or demanding tone.
Know Your Machine: Aire vs. Ventilador
Make sure you're talking about the right thing! 'El aire acondicionado' cools the air. If you're talking about a fan that just moves air around, the word is 'el ventilador'. Confusing the two can lead to misunderstandings.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Trabajar' for Machines
Mistake: "Saying 'El aire acondicionado no trabaja.'"
Correction: El aire acondicionado no funciona.
Mixing up 'Ser' and 'Estar'
Mistake: "Saying 'El aire acondicionado es roto.'"
Correction: El aire acondicionado está roto.
Gender Mix-up
Mistake: "Saying 'La aire acondicionado...'"
Correction: El aire acondicionado...
💡Pro Tips
Be Specific for Faster Help
Instead of just saying it doesn't work, try to describe the specific problem. Saying 'no enfría' (it doesn't cool), 'hace un ruido extraño' (it makes a strange noise), or 'gotea agua' (it's dripping water) can help them diagnose and fix the issue faster.
Soften Your Complaint
It's always a good idea to start your complaint politely. Begin with 'Disculpe...' (Excuse me...), 'Perdone la molestia...' (Sorry for the trouble...), or 'Quería comentarle que...' (I wanted to mention that...) before stating the problem.
Use 'Clima' or 'Climatizador' for Cars
While 'aire acondicionado' is understood for cars, it's very common to hear 'el clima' (in Mexico) or 'el climatizador' (in Spain and elsewhere) to refer specifically to the car's climate control system. Using these terms will make you sound more like a native speaker.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The use of 'estropeado' for broken appliances is very characteristic of Spain. You might also hear the very casual 'no va' (it doesn't go), similar to 'no anda' in Argentina.
Mexico
It's very common to refer to the AC unit, especially in a car, as 'el clima' (the climate). 'Descompuesto' is another common word for 'broken' that you'll hear frequently.
Argentina
The verb 'andar' is the key regional marker here for talking about machines. It's used constantly in everyday speech instead of 'funcionar'.
💬What Comes Next?
After you've reported the problem.
Voy a mandar a alguien de mantenimiento.
I'm going to send someone from maintenance.
Muchas gracias, ¿sabe cuánto tardará?
Thank you very much, do you know how long it will take?
The receptionist is checking for solutions.
Lo siento mucho. ¿Le gustaría cambiarse de habitación?
I'm very sorry. Would you like to change rooms?
Sí, por favor. Se lo agradezco.
Yes, please. I appreciate it.
A maintenance person arrives and asks for details.
¿Qué le pasa exactamente?
What exactly is wrong with it?
Pues, enciende pero no enfría el aire.
Well, it turns on but it doesn't cool the air.
🧠Memory Tricks
This links the Spanish verb 'funcionar' to its English cognate 'function,' creating a strong mental connection to use for non-human things.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the verb choice. English uses the versatile verb 'to work' for both people and machines, but Spanish makes a clear distinction: 'trabajar' for people's labor and 'funcionar' for a machine's operation. Internalizing this one rule will instantly make your Spanish sound more natural and less like a direct translation from English.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: A direct word-for-word translation would be 'El AC no trabaja,' which is incorrect. This is a classic 'false friend' situation where the concept of 'work' doesn't map perfectly between languages.
Use instead: Always use 'El AC no funciona' for machines.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
The heating isn't working.
This is the direct opposite and uses the same grammatical structure: 'La calefacción no funciona.'
There is no hot water.
This is another very common complaint in hotels or apartments, moving from appliances to utilities.
Can you send a technician?
This is the logical next step after reporting a problem that you can't fix yourself.
I would like to change rooms.
This is a key phrase for resolving problems in a hotel when a fix isn't immediately possible.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: The air conditioning isn't working
Question 1 of 3
You're in a hotel in Madrid and the AC is broken. What's a very common, Spain-specific way to say this?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'no funciona' and 'está roto'?
'No funciona' is a general statement that it's not operating correctly. 'Está roto' is more specific, meaning it's physically broken. You can say 'no funciona' even if you just don't know how to turn it on, but 'está roto' implies it needs repair.
Is it okay to just say 'el aire' or do I need the full phrase?
In context, yes! If it's clear you're talking about the air conditioner, saying 'El aire no enfría' or 'No funciona el aire' is perfectly natural and very common. 'El clima' is also a popular shortcut in Mexico and some other parts of Latin America.
How do I say the AC is just weak, not completely broken?
Great question! You can say 'El aire no enfría mucho' (The air doesn't cool much) or 'El aire enfría muy poco' (The air cools very little). This is more specific and helps the maintenance person understand the problem.
Is it considered rude to complain about the AC in Spanish-speaking countries?
Not at all, especially if you're a paying customer in a hotel or a tenant. The key is your tone. Be polite and patient. Start with 'Disculpe...' (Excuse me...) and explain the problem calmly for the best results.
What's the word for a regular fan?
A fan that just blows air around is 'el ventilador'. It's important not to mix them up. If you complain that 'el ventilador no enfría', they'll just tell you that fans don't cool, they just move air!
Can I use 'no sirve' to say it's not working?
Yes, absolutely! 'No sirve' literally means 'it doesn't serve (its purpose)' and is a very common, slightly informal way to say something is broken or useless. 'Este aire acondicionado no sirve' is a perfectly valid and natural way to complain.
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