Using 'Trabajar' for Machines
Mistake: “Saying 'El aire acondicionado no trabaja.'”
Correction: El aire acondicionado no funciona.
How to say
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.
🎬Watch & Learn
The air conditioning isn't working — in Spanish
💬Other Ways to Say It
El aire acondicionado está roto.
★★★★☆
ehl EYE-reh ah-kohn-dee-syoh-NAH-doh ehs-TAH ROH-toh
neutral🌍
This translates to 'The air conditioning is broken.' It's slightly more direct than 'no funciona' and implies a physical problem.
When to use: When you are fairly certain the unit is broken and not just turned off or set incorrectly. Useful in hotels, apartments, or with a mechanic.
El aire no enfría.
★★★★★
ehl EYE-reh noh ehn-FREE-ah
neutral🌍
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.
When to use: This is perfect when the unit turns on and blows air, but the air isn't cold. It's a very clear and effective complaint.
No funciona el aire acondicionado.
★★★★★
noh foon-SYOH-nah ehl EYE-reh ah-kohn-dee-syoh-NAH-doh
neutral🌍
This is the same as the primary translation, just with the word order flipped. It's extremely common and sounds very natural.
When to use: Use this interchangeably with 'El aire acondicionado no funciona.' The meaning is identical.
El aire acondicionado no anda.
★★★☆☆
ehl EYE-reh ah-kohn-dee-syoh-NAH-doh noh AHN-dah
informal🌎 🇦🇷 🇺🇾
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'.
When to use: In casual conversation in countries like Argentina. It might sound a bit too informal for a luxury hotel but is fine for a vacation rental or with friends.
El aire acondicionado está estropeado.
★★★☆☆
ehl EYE-reh ah-kohn-dee-syoh-NAH-doh ehs-TAH ehs-troh-peh-AH-doh
neutral🇪🇸
'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.
When to use: Primarily when you are in Spain. It will be understood elsewhere but is most natural there.
El A/A no funciona.
★★★★☆
ehl ah-ah noh foon-SYOH-nah
informal🌍
This uses the common abbreviation for 'aire acondicionado', which is A/A (or sometimes A/C). The letters are pronounced individually: 'ah-ah'.
When to use: Best used in casual conversation or informal writing like a text message. For a formal complaint, it's better to say the full phrase.
🔑Key Words
📊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
Overall Difficulty:beginnerMaster in a few hours
Pronunciation3/5
The word 'acondicionado' has five syllables and can be a mouthful for beginners. The 'cio' sound (like 'syoh') can also be tricky.
Grammar2/5
The basic structure is simple (Subject + no + verb). The main grammatical hurdle is remembering to use 'funcionar' for machines, not 'trabajar'.
Cultural Nuance2/5
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
A guest speaking politely to a hotel receptionist.A2
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?
An informal call from a tenant to a landlord.A2
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.
Casual conversation with a friend or mechanic about a car issue.B1
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.
A casual, frustrated comment to a friend or family member.B1
¡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
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
Preferred:El aire acondicionado no funciona.
Pronunciation:The 'c' in 'acondicionado' is pronounced with a 'th' sound (like 'think'): 'ah-kohn-dee-thee-oh-NAH-doh'.
Alternatives:
Está estropeado.No va.
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.
⚠️ Note: Using 'no anda' might sound a bit foreign, as 'no funciona' or 'no va' are more common.
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:No funciona el aire acondicionado.
Pronunciation:The 'c' in 'acondicionado' is a crisp 's' sound: 'ah-kohn-dee-see-oh-NAH-doh'.
Alternatives:
El clima no funciona.Está descompuesto.
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.
⚠️ Note: Using 'está estropeado' would be understood but sound distinctly Spanish.
🇦🇷
Argentina
Preferred:El aire acondicionado no anda.
Pronunciation:Pronunciation is similar to Mexico, but with a characteristic melodic intonation. The 'll' and 'y' sounds are pronounced like 'sh'.
Alternatives:
No funciona el aire.Está roto.
The verb 'andar' is the key regional marker here for talking about machines. It's used constantly in everyday speech instead of 'funcionar'.
⚠️ Note: While 'funcionar' is perfectly correct and understood, using 'andar' will make you sound much more local and natural.
💬What Comes Next?
After you've reported the problem.
They say:
Voy a mandar a alguien de mantenimiento.
I'm going to send someone from maintenance.
→
You respond:
Muchas gracias, ¿sabe cuánto tardará?
Thank you very much, do you know how long it will take?
The receptionist is checking for solutions.
They say:
Lo siento mucho. ¿Le gustaría cambiarse de habitación?
I'm very sorry. Would you like to change rooms?
→
You respond:
Sí, por favor. Se lo agradezco.
Yes, please. I appreciate it.
A maintenance person arrives and asks for details.
They say:
¿Qué le pasa exactamente?
What exactly is wrong with it?
→
You respond:
Pues, enciende pero no enfría el aire.
Well, it turns on but it doesn't cool the air.
🧠Memory Tricks
Think 'Machines FUNCTION, People WORK.' This helps you remember to use 'funcionar' for machines and 'trabajar' for people. A machine can't go to its 'trabajo' (job).
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:
"'The AC doesn't work.'"
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?
Use phrases naturally, not mechanically
Knowing a phrase is one thing — using it at the right moment is another. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see phrases in the contexts where they actually belong.
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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