Italian · BeginnerHo Poca BatteriaI Have Low Battery

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00:00Intro
Hello everyone! Welcome to our Italian podcast.
Hi Marco! How wonderful to be here with you.
Hi Giulia! I have a small problem with my phone.
What problem do you have, Marco?
Look at the screen: I have low battery.
Ha ha! That always happens to me too!
Yesterday I forgot my cable at home.
It happens often. In a rush, we forget things.
I used the map downtown. Then I listened to music on the bus.
Music and maps consume a lot of battery.
That's true, the percentage went down quickly.
That's why today we are learning six very useful phrases.
Let's listen together to our six phrases today, in order.
The first phrase is: Ho poca batteria (I have low battery).
The second phrase is a question: Hai un caricatore? (Do you have a charger?).
The third phrase is always useful in town: Ho bisogno di una presa (I need an outlet).
The fourth phrase happens suddenly: Il telefono si è spento (My phone turned off).
The fifth phrase brings great relief: Ho una batteria portatile (I have a portable battery).
And the sixth phrase helps us meet: Ti mando la mia posizione (I'll send you my location).
Six perfect phrases for A1 level beginners.
Yesterday I experienced a little adventure in Florence.
How nice! Tell your full story from yesterday, Marco.
Yesterday afternoon I went to downtown Florence.
Ah, near Piazza della Repubblica! It's a very beautiful area.
Exactly, I had an appointment with Luca, for a coffee.
You and Luca always have coffee together downtown!
Yes! I walked along Via dei Calzaiuoli, very happy.
But I know your phone habits well, Marco!
I saw a red number: Ho poca batteria (I have low battery).
Oh my, you never charge your phone before going out!
I only had three percent, I was really worried.
With three percent, you can't even reach the street corner!
I tried to write a message to Luca right away.
You were in a huge rush at that moment!
Unfortunately no, because the phone turned off.
What a bad surprise! The screen turned black immediately.
Exactly, no map and no messages in the middle of the crowd.
Luckily, downtown there is a cafe near every square.
I went right into a small cafe to ask for help.
Baristas in Italy are always very kind to everyone.
I asked him: Hai un caricatore? (Do you have a charger?).
And did he find a cable for you right away?
Yes, he opened a drawer, and gladly gave me a cable.
How nice! But to charge you also need a power outlet.
I said to the barista: Ho bisogno di una presa (I need an outlet).
In downtown cafes, the spots with outlets are always taken!
Unfortunately yes, there were many students with laptops.
Many people use laptops in cafes for many hours.
He smiled and told me: Ho una batteria portatile (I have a portable battery).
How nice! That gentleman was truly very helpful.
I connected the phone with the cable, for three minutes of charging.
Just a few minutes are enough to turn the screen back on and write!
I opened the map and wrote: Ti mando la mia posizione (I'll send you my location).
And Luca immediately saw the exact spot on the map!
He arrived after five minutes and was very happy.
And did you have a good espresso together at the cafe?
We had two coffees together and thanked that gentleman.
What a lovely story with a happy ending! Now let's study each phrase in detail.
Let's start with our first phrase: Ho poca batteria.
In English, it means: "I have low battery".
We use this phrase when we see the red icon.
For me twenty percent is already an emergency.
Ha ha! I, on the other hand, use my phone down to two percent.
But that is very risky, Marco!
That's true, Giulia! Often I end up without a phone on the street.
The word "batteria" indicates the phone's power.
And "poca" means a very small amount.
We can also say: Ho poca batteria oggi (I have low battery today).
Or: Scusa, ho poca batteria al telefono (Sorry, I have low phone battery).
It's a simple, clear, and very common phrase.
Let's move on now to the second phrase: Hai un caricatore?
In English, it means: "Do you have a charger?".
It's a very useful question at the office, at school, or at a cafe.
The word "caricatore" is used to charge the phone.
Sometimes we also say: "il cavo" (the cable), or "il caricabatterie" (the battery charger).
But "caricatore" is the easiest word for beginners.
If we are polite, we can add: "per favore" (please).
Exactly: Scusa, hai un caricatore per favore? (Excuse me, do you have a charger please?).
Friends and coworkers always answer gladly.
Now let's discover the third phrase: Ho bisogno di una presa.
In English, it means: "I need a power outlet".
The outlet is on the wall, where we insert the plug.
The structure "ho bisogno di" expresses a necessity.
For example: Ho bisogno di un caffè (I need a coffee), or di aiuto (help).
In this case, ho bisogno di una presa to recharge.
On trains and in cafes we always look for a free outlet.
Exactly, especially when we use the computer.
Let's continue with the fourth phrase: Il telefono si è spento.
In English, it means: "My phone turned off".
We use the passato prossimo of the verb spegnersi.
When the percentage reaches zero, the phone turns off.
The screen turns black and we can no longer make calls.
This phrase is perfect for explaining a delay.
We can say: Scusa per il ritardo, il telefono si è spento (Sorry for the delay, my phone died).
Everyone immediately understands, because it happens to everyone.
We arrive at the fifth phrase: Ho una batteria portatile.
In English, it means: "I have a portable battery".
Many people also use the word "power bank".
But in Italian we often say: batteria portatile or esterna.
It is a useful object, to keep in a backpack or bag.
When I travel, I always bring a portable battery.
And it's wonderful to be able to say: Ho una batteria portatile!
It is a true gesture of help and friendship.
And we arrive at the sixth phrase: Ti mando la mia posizione.
In English, it means: "I will send you my location".
We use the present tense of the verb mandare for a quick action.
"La mia posizione" indicates the spot on the map.
It's very convenient in a large square or at a train station.
We press a button and send the point on the map.
And the friend immediately sees where we are in real time.
We looked at all six phrases with great clarity.
Now let's practice these phrases with natural dialogues.
Let's practice with scenes from everyday life.
Great idea! Let's imagine different realistic scenes in the city.
Imagine you are at Santa Maria Novella train station.
I am at the station, and I need to take the train to Milan.
You look at your phone to check your ticket on the platform.
Oh no! The screen shows five percent: Ho poca batteria (I have low battery).
Luckily, I am near you with my backpack ready!
And you help me right away, like a true travel companion!
I smile and tell you right away: Don't worry, ho una batteria portatile (I have a portable battery).
What an incredible relief before boarding the train!
Now let's do another common scene in a library.
All right! I am at the table studying with a classmate.
You forgot your cable at home on the table.
I walk over to my classmate and speak in a low voice: Scusa, hai un caricatore? (Excuse me, do you have a charger?).
She is very kind, and gladly lends you her cable.
But the table is far from the wall and I say: Ho bisogno di una presa (I need an outlet).
You find a free outlet under the window and sit down.
Perfect! The phone recharges while I read my notes.
Now let's imagine a third situation with a friend at the park.
You are waiting for a friend near the park fountain.
You walk near the trees, but the battery drops to zero.
Suddenly the screen turns black and everything shuts down!
Exactly, the phone turned off before meeting the friend.
When the friend finally arrives, you explain the situation right away.
I tell him with a smile: Scusami tanto, il telefono si è spento! (Excuse me so much, my phone died!).
The friend understands right away and says there's no problem.
And let's do one last scene in a crowded square in Venice.
You arrived in Piazza San Marco among many tourists.
There are many people and you can't find your friend.
But you still have a little charge, for a quick message.
I open the chat and write right away: Guarda la mappa, ti mando la mia posizione (Look at the map, I'll send you my location).
The friend opens the map and reaches you after two minutes!
These phrases truly work in so many real situations.
We did great training together, Marco.
And now it is time for our little quiz!
Here is situation number one.
Tell me the first situation, Giulia.
You are at a restaurant with a friend. You look at your phone and see three percent. What do you say to your friend?
I say in a calm tone: Ho poca batteria (I have low battery).
Perfect answer! It's the right phrase when the battery charge is almost gone.
Let's move on to situation number two.
Let's go with the second question, I'm ready.
You are in the office and forgot your cable. The coworker has a charger on his desk. What do you ask him?
I ask him politely: Hai un caricatore? (Do you have a charger?).
Excellent! A polite question that everyone understands right away.
Listen carefully to situation number three.
Tell me the third situation, Giulia.
You enter a cafe with your laptop and charger. You want to sit near the wall. What do you say to the barista?
I say with a smile: Ho bisogno di una presa (I need an outlet).
Right! That way the barista immediately points you to the free outlet.
Let's go to situation number four.
On to the fourth situation of the day.
You are talking on the phone with your brother, and the call drops. When you call him back, what do you explain?
I explain the situation and say: Scusa, il telefono si è spento (Sorry, my phone died).
Great! This phrase immediately clarifies that you didn't hang up.
Here is situation number five.
Tell me the fifth situation of our quiz.
You are traveling with a friend, and her phone is dead. You have a portable battery. What do you tell her?
I smile and tell her gladly: Tranquilla, ho una batteria portatile (Don't worry, I have a portable battery).
Very good! Bringing a portable battery always saves the day.
And let's conclude with situation number six.
I am ready and listening carefully for the last question.
You are in front of a museum, and your friend doesn't see you. You want to let him know where you are. What do you write?
I write to him immediately in the message: Ti mando la mia posizione (I'll send you my location).
Excellent! Six out of six, you answered all the questions very well!
Thank you so much, Giulia! These six phrases are truly very useful.
Now let's do a quick review, and launch the challenge for everyone!
Let's do a quick review of our six phrases today.
Let's review all the phrases together, in order.
Number one: Ho poca batteria (I have low battery).
We use it when the phone's battery charge is very low.
Number two: Hai un caricatore? (Do you have a charger?).
We use it to ask to borrow a charging cable.
Number three: Ho bisogno di una presa (I need an outlet).
We use it when we look for a spot to plug in the power plug.
Number four: Il telefono si è spento (My phone turned off).
We use it when the screen turns black because the battery ran out.
Number five: Ho una batteria portatile (I have a portable battery).
We use it to say that we have a backup battery in our backpack.
Number six: Ti mando la mia posizione (I'll send you my location).
We use it to send our exact location on the GPS map.
Six simple phrases, perfect for every day in Italy.
And now comes the challenge for all of you at home!
Here is today's challenge: imagine your phone is almost out of battery.
Which phrase do you say out loud to ask for help?
Repeat these phrases out loud to practice!
Speaking out loud helps pronunciation a lot!
If you liked this episode, leave a comment.
Thank you so much for listening to our conversation today.
See you soon with a new Italian lesson!
Happy studying to everyone and see you soon! Bye!
Bye everyone!

Key phrases

6 to keep
Ho poca batteriaI have low battery
La prima frase è: Ho poca batteria.The first phrase is: I have low battery.
Hai un caricatore?Do you have a charger?
La seconda frase è una domanda: Hai un caricatore?The second phrase is a question: Do you have a charger?
Ho bisogno di una presaI need a power outlet
La terza frase serve sempre in città: Ho bisogno di una presa.The third phrase is always useful in town: I need a power outlet.
Il telefono si è spentoMy phone turned off
La quarta frase capita all'improvviso: Il telefono si è spento.The fourth phrase happens suddenly: My phone turned off.
Ho una batteria portatileI have a portable battery
La quinta frase porta grande sollievo: Ho una batteria portatile.The fifth phrase brings great relief: I have a portable battery.
Ti mando la mia posizioneI'll send you my location
E la sesta frase serve per trovarsi: Ti mando la mia posizione.And the sixth phrase helps us meet: I'll send you my location.

Tocca a te

Your turn
dillo ad alta voce
Today's small task

Immagina che il tuo telefono abbia poca carica: quale frase dici ad alta voce?Imagine your phone has low battery: which phrase do you say out loud?

cocoaHo Poca Batteria
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