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PhrasesRoom ProblemsManca la carta igienica.
A2informal

Manca la carta igienica.

There is no toilet paper.

Pronunciation

i-GIE-ni-ca — four syllables, stress on the second.

When to use it

Call reception or press the service button. Toilet paper should be replenished daily by housekeeping.

What it means

'Manca' is from 'mancare' (to be missing/lacking) and is used impersonally — 'it is missing'. 'Carta igienica' = toilet paper (literally 'hygienic paper'). 'Manca' is incredibly useful — use it for anything that is missing: 'manca un asciugamano' (there is no towel), 'manca il sapone' (there is no soap).

Variations

Mancano gli asciugamani.

There are no towels.

'Mancano' is the plural form — used when multiple items are missing

Manca il sapone.

There is no soap.

Basic amenities should be replenished daily

Non ci sono ciabatte in camera.

There are no slippers in the room.

Slippers are standard in higher-category hotels — ask if missing

Mini Dialogue

— Buongiorno, manca la carta igienica in camera. — Mi scusi. Gliela portiamo subito. Camera 305? — Sì, esatto. — Sarà lì in cinque minuti.

— Good morning, there is no toilet paper in the room. — I apologise. We will bring it right away. Room 305? — Yes, exactly. — It will be there in five minutes.

Cultural Note

Italian hotel housekeeping ('servizio ai piani') typically restocks amenities during the daily room cleaning ('riassetto della camera'), usually between 10am and 2pm. If you need something outside those hours, calling reception is always the right approach — never hesitate.