Italian · Food & Drink
"Water" in Italian: acqua
l'acqua
Water in Italian is l'acqua (LAHK-kwah), a feminine noun. In cafés and restaurants ask for naturale (still) or frizzante (sparkling). A glass is un bicchiere d'acqua.
At a restaurant
Porta l'acqua naturale, per favore.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce acqua
Say it
LAHK-kwah
/ˈak.kwa/
Acqua starts with AH and has a strong kw sound: LAHK-kwah when you include the article elision. Stress the first syllable of acqua.
"Water" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| l'acqua | water The basic word; feminine with elided article. | The basic word; feminine with elided article. |
| acqua naturale | still water What to order if you do not want bubbles. | What to order if you do not want bubbles. |
| acqua frizzante | sparkling water Also called acqua gasata in some places. | Also called acqua gasata in some places. |
| un bicchiere d'acqua | a glass of water The usual request at a table or bar. | The usual request at a table or bar. |
How to use acqua in real life
- 1At a restaurant
Porta l'acqua naturale, per favore.
Bring still water, please.
Italians often order bottled water with the meal.
- 2After sport
Bevo molta acqua quando corro.
I drink a lot of water when I run.
Acqua without the article can appear after quantities like molta.
- 3In a shop
Quanto costa una bottiglia d'acqua?
How much is a bottle of water?
Una bottiglia d'acqua is the shopping phrase.
Mistakes English speakers make with acqua
Incorrect: Il acqua, per favore.
Correct: L'acqua, per favore.
Acqua is feminine and starts with a vowel, so the article becomes l'acqua, not il acqua.
Incorrect: Vorrei un acqua.
Correct: Vorrei dell'acqua. / Vorrei una bottiglia d'acqua.
Ask for dell'acqua or name the container: una bottiglia d'acqua.
Good to know
In many Italian restaurants, water is bottled and you choose naturale or frizzante. Free tap water is less automatic than in some countries, though you can ask for acqua del rubinetto where it is offered.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering drinks at a trattoria
ChatPal
Prendiamo dell'acqua? Io voglio l'acqua frizzante.
Shall we get water? I want sparkling water.
You
Per me l'acqua naturale, grazie.
Still water for me, thanks.
ChatPal
Ok. Chiedo anche due bicchieri d'acqua fresca.
Ok. I'll also ask for two glasses of cold water.
You
Perfetto. Che caldo, serve proprio l'acqua!
Perfect. It's so hot, we really need the water!
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Water" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Water" in Italian
How do I order still water?
Say acqua naturale or una bottiglia di acqua naturale. Naturale means without gas.
How do I order sparkling water?
Say acqua frizzante or acqua gasata. Both mean sparkling water.
Is acqua masculine or feminine?
Feminine: l'acqua, un'acqua minerale, dell'acqua. Adjectives agree: acqua fresca.
How do I ask for a glass of water?
Un bicchiere d'acqua, per favore is the standard line at a bar or table.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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