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La macchinetta automatica è fuori servizio.

La macchinetta automatica è fuori servizio.
The vending machine is out of service.
FromLesson 38inHardcore Italian

Breakdown of La macchinetta automatica è fuori servizio.

essere
to be
la macchinetta automatica
the vending machine
fuori servizio
out of service

Questions & Answers about La macchinetta automatica è fuori servizio.

Why is la used instead of una before macchinetta automatica?
In Italian signage and announcements, the definite article la is common when pointing to a specific, known machine (for example, the only vending machine in that area). Using una macchinetta (“a vending machine”) is grammatically correct but sounds like you’re introducing it as one among many, rather than the familiar one you want to talk about.
What does macchinetta mean and why is it feminine?
Macchinetta is the diminutive of macchina (“machine”), so it literally means “little machine.” Diminutive suffixes like -etta always produce feminine nouns, which is why we use la macchinetta.
Why is the adjective automatica in the feminine form?
Adjectives in Italian must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Since macchinetta is feminine singular, automatica takes the feminine singular ending -a. If the noun were masculine (e.g., distributore), you’d say automatico.
Is macchinetta automatica the same as distributore automatico?
Yes, both refer to a vending machine. Macchinetta is more colloquial—“little machine”—while distributore (“distributor”) sounds slightly more formal or technical. You’ll see both on signs in Italy.
What does fuori servizio mean literally and idiomatically?
Literally, fuori servizio is “outside service,” but idiomatically it means “out of service” or “out of order.” It’s the standard Italian phrase you’d see on any broken device or machine.
Why is there an accent on è, and what happens if you omit it?
The accent on è distinguishes the verb “è” (he/she/it is) from the conjunction e (and). If you drop the accent, readers might misread it as e, changing the meaning and making the sentence ungrammatical.
Could I say la macchinetta automatica non funziona instead?
Yes. La macchinetta automatica non funziona (“the vending machine doesn’t work”) is perfectly correct and clear. However, on signs you’ll almost always see the concise fixed phrase fuori servizio.
Why isn’t there an article before servizio in fuori servizio?
Fuori servizio is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adjective (“out of service”). Prepositional phrases like this don’t take an article. If you wanted to use servizio as a noun, you’d add one (e.g., il servizio).
Can fuori servizio be reordered or rephrased?
No, fuori servizio is a set expression and must stay in that order. You can say la macchina è guasta or non funziona, but you can’t swap fuori and servizio (e.g., servizio fuori would be incorrect).
How do I pronounce La macchinetta automatica è fuori servizio?

Here’s a rough phonetic guide: la / mak-kee-NEH-tah au-toh-MAH-tee-kah eh FOO-oh-ree ser-VEE-tsyoh Stress falls on the syllable in all caps.

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