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PhrasesAt the Petrol StationLa pompa non funziona.
A2

La pompa non funziona.

The pump isn't working.

Pronunciation

'Funziona' — 'fun-TSYO-na'. Three syllables; 'z' gives the 'ts' sound; stress on second syllable.

When to use it

Report this to an attendant when a self-service pump fails to respond, dispenses no fuel, or displays an error message.

What it means

'Non funziona' means 'does not work' and is one of the most universally useful Italian phrases for reporting any malfunction. 'La pompa' is the pump.

Variations

La macchinetta non accetta la mia carta.

The machine doesn't accept my card.

More specific; reports a card-reading failure.

Il display è spento.

The display is off.

Describes a pump with a blank screen.

Viene del carburante?

Is fuel coming out?

Checks with a bystander if the pump is actually dispensing.

Mini Dialogue

— La pompa non funziona. — Quale numero? — La numero quattro. — Mi dispiace, è in manutenzione. Vada alla cinque.

— The pump isn't working. — Which number? — Number four. — Sorry, it's under maintenance. Go to number five.

Cultural Note

Italian petrol stations are required to display an emergency number in case of equipment failure. At 24h automatic stations with no attendant, this number is your only recourse if a pump fails.