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PhrasesMaking Phone CallsIl mio telefono è rotto.
A1informal

Il mio telefono è rotto.

My phone is broken.

Pronunciation

Stress 'ROT-to'. Short, clear statement.

When to use it

Use this to explain to people why you've been unreachable. Also useful in a phone repair shop ('centro assistenza') when describing the problem.

What it means

'Rotto' = broken (past participle of 'rompere', used as adjective). 'Il mio telefono è rotto' = my phone is broken. Related: 'lo schermo è rotto' (the screen is broken), 'non si carica' (it won't charge), 'si è bloccato' (it froze/locked up).

Variations

Lo schermo è andato.

The screen is gone/broken.

Colloquial for broken screen.

Il telefono non si accende.

The phone won't turn on.

Power issue.

L'ho fatto cadere e si è rotto.

I dropped it and it broke.

Explaining how it broke.

Mini Dialogue

— Non ti ho trovato per tutto il giorno! — Scusa! Il mio telefono è rotto. L'ho fatto cadere stamattina. — Ah no! Lo schermo? — Sì, completamente distrutto. Vado al centro assistenza adesso.

— I couldn't reach you all day! — Sorry! My phone is broken. I dropped it this morning. — Oh no! The screen? — Yes, completely shattered. I'm going to the repair centre now.

Cultural Note

Italy has a dense network of phone repair shops ('centri assistenza' and independent 'riparatori di cellulari'), particularly in markets and commercial streets. The 'riparatore di cellulari' is often a multi-ethnic small business, with many run by Bangladeshi, Chinese, and North African entrepreneurs in Italian cities.