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PhrasesRoom ProblemsLo sciacquone del WC non funziona.
B1formal

Lo sciacquone del WC non funziona.

The toilet flush is not working.

Pronunciation

scia-CQU-o-ne — three syllables, stress on the second. 'sci' = 'sh'.

When to use it

A basic sanitary failure that must be reported immediately and fixed within the hour.

What it means

'Sciacquone' = toilet flush mechanism (the cistern or flush button). 'Non funziona' = does not work. Italian toilets have various flush systems — some with two buttons (half-flush and full-flush), some with a handle, some with a pedal.

Variations

Il WC non si svuota.

The toilet does not empty.

An alternative description of a flush failure

Il bottone dello sciacquone è rotto.

The flush button is broken.

Identify the specific component that failed

Lo sciacquone continua a scorrere.

The flush keeps running continuously.

A running toilet wastes water and the noise is disruptive

Mini Dialogue

— Lo sciacquone del WC non funziona. Ho provato più volte. — Capisco. È una riparazione urgente. Mando il tecnico adesso. — Quanto tempo ci vorrà? — Dieci minuti al massimo. Mi scusi.

— The toilet flush is not working. I have tried several times. — I understand. It is an urgent repair. I will send the technician now. — How long will it take? — Ten minutes at most. I apologise.

Cultural Note

Italian toilet flush systems vary widely — from the classic high-cistern chain pull in very old hotels, to dual-button systems on modern cisterns, to push-plate flush mechanisms in contemporary bathrooms. If you cannot find the flush mechanism, ask at reception rather than struggling.