FastItalian LearningSign in
PhrasesRoom ProblemsIl cibo del room service era freddo.
B1formal

Il cibo del room service era freddo.

The room service food was cold.

Pronunciation

room service — pronounced approximately as in English.

When to use it

Report this politely but promptly — cold food from room service is a valid complaint that should result in a replacement or refund.

What it means

'Era freddo' = was cold (imperfetto of 'essere'). 'Il cibo' = the food. Room service food arriving cold is a service failure. Italian hotels should offer to replace the food or credit the amount. Using the imperfetto here ('era') is natural for describing a past state.

Variations

Ci vuole troppo tempo per il room service.

Room service takes too long.

Report long wait times — standards vary by hotel

Il mio ordine era sbagliato.

My order was wrong.

Report incorrect orders immediately

Posso avere un rimborso per il piatto freddo?

Can I have a refund for the cold dish?

A reasonable compensation request

Mini Dialogue

— Il cibo del room service era freddo quando è arrivato. — Mi scusi molto. Vuole che glielo rifacciamo? — Sì, grazie. E potete fare in fretta? Ho fame. — Priorità assoluta. Pronto in venti minuti.

— The room service food was cold when it arrived. — I am very sorry. Would you like us to redo it? — Yes, please. And can you be quick? I am hungry. — Absolute priority. Ready in twenty minutes.

Cultural Note

Room service in Italian hotels is a premium service that typically costs 15–20% more than the same dish in the hotel restaurant. When you pay a premium, the food should arrive hot and correct. A polite complaint will almost always result in a replacement at no charge.