يوجد عطل في الحمام
Yujad 'atal fi el hamam
There's a problem with the shower
Literally: In problem in the shower
In 15 Seconds
- Used to report a broken or malfunctioning shower.
- Essential for hotel stays and apartment rentals.
- Simple 'There is a problem' structure for easy communication.
Meaning
You use this phrase to tell someone that the shower isn't working properly. It's the most common way to report plumbing issues to a hotel clerk or a landlord.
Key Examples
3 of 6Calling the hotel front desk
لو سمحت، في مشكلة في الدش في غرفتي.
Excuse me, there is a problem with the shower in my room.
Texting a landlord
يا فندم، في مشكلة في الدش، المية باردة.
Sir, there's a problem with the shower, the water is cold.
Talking to a roommate
خلي بالك، في مشكلة في الدش، بيكهرب!
Watch out, there's a problem with the shower, it's giving shocks!
Cultural Background
The 'Shatafa' (bidet spray) is a staple. If you report a 'malfunction,' the first thing they might check is the water pressure of the shatafa. Hospitality is paramount. If you report a broken bathroom in a home, the host may feel deeply embarrassed and offer you their own private bathroom. Bathrooms are considered 'places of the unseen' (khala'). It is common to enter with the left foot and leave with the right, though this doesn't affect the reporting of repairs! In cities like Dubai or Riyadh, maintenance is often outsourced to South Asian workers. While they speak Arabic, using simple MSA like 'yūjad 'uṭl' is often clearer than using heavy local dialects.
Be Specific
After saying 'يوجد عطل في الحمام', add 'في السخان' (in the heater) or 'في الحنفية' (in the tap) to help the plumber bring the right tools.
The Power of 'Law Samaht'
Always start with 'Law samaht' (If you please) to make your complaint sound like a request rather than an attack.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to report a broken or malfunctioning shower.
- Essential for hotel stays and apartment rentals.
- Simple 'There is a problem' structure for easy communication.
What It Means
This phrase is your bread and butter for travel. It literally means 'There is a problem in the shower.' It is simple and direct. It gets the point across without needing complex grammar. You are identifying a specific location في الدش and a specific issue مشكلة. It is a lifesaver when you just want a hot bath.
How To Use It
Start with the word في which means 'there is' or 'in.' Then add مشكلة for 'problem.' Finish with في الدش for 'in the shower.' You can point at the bathroom while saying it. Use a slightly frustrated tone if you are at a hotel. Use a helpful tone if you are telling a roommate. It works perfectly as a standalone sentence.
When To Use It
Use it the moment you realize the water is cold. Use it if the shower head is leaking. It is perfect for checking into a rental apartment. Use it when talking to a plumber or a handyman. It is great for texting a landlord about repairs. You will sound natural and clear in any service-related context.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for emotional 'problems.' If you have a problem with a person, use different phrasing. This is strictly for mechanical or plumbing issues. Avoid using it in high-end formal literary writing. It is a spoken, practical phrase for daily life. Don't say it if the sink is broken—that's a different word!
Cultural Background
In many Arabic-speaking countries, plumbing can be 'creative.' Water heaters (called سخان) often have their own switches. Sometimes the 'problem' is just a switch you haven't flipped yet. Hospitality is huge, so people will usually rush to fix it. Being direct about maintenance is expected and not considered rude. Just remember to start with a greeting first!
Common Variations
In Egypt, you might hear الدش بايظ which means the shower is 'spoiled' or broken. In the Levant, you might say المي مقطوعة if there is no water at all. You can also say السخان مش شغال if the water is just cold. If the leak is bad, say في مية بتنزل to describe the dripping. Keep it simple and you will always be understood.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral, everyday expression. It's safe for use with strangers, service staff, and friends. It's more common in spoken 'Ammiya than in formal writing.
Be Specific
After saying 'يوجد عطل في الحمام', add 'في السخان' (in the heater) or 'في الحنفية' (in the tap) to help the plumber bring the right tools.
The Power of 'Law Samaht'
Always start with 'Law samaht' (If you please) to make your complaint sound like a request rather than an attack.
Gender Agreement
Don't say 'tūjad' unless you change 'uṭl' to a feminine word like 'mushkila' (problem).
Examples
6لو سمحت، في مشكلة في الدش في غرفتي.
Excuse me, there is a problem with the shower in my room.
Adding 'in my room' makes it more specific for the staff.
يا فندم، في مشكلة في الدش، المية باردة.
Sir, there's a problem with the shower, the water is cold.
Adding the specific issue (cold water) helps the repairman.
خلي بالك، في مشكلة في الدش، بيكهرب!
Watch out, there's a problem with the shower, it's giving shocks!
A humorous but scary warning about faulty wiring.
أنا تعبان وعايز أستحمى بس في مشكلة في الدش.
I'm tired and want to shower but there's a problem with the shower.
Expressing frustration after a difficult day.
ممكن تشوف الحمام؟ في مشكلة في الدش.
Can you look at the bathroom? There's a problem with the shower.
A casual request for a handy friend to take a look.
يا أسطى، في مشكلة في الدش، في تسريب مية.
Chief, there is a problem with the shower, there is a water leak.
Using 'Usta' is a common way to address tradespeople.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to report a malfunction.
يوجد ____ في الحمام.
'عطل' (uṭl) is the correct word for malfunction. 'عطلة' means holiday.
Which sentence is the most formal way to report a bathroom issue to a hotel manager?
Choose the best option:
This is the standard Modern Standard Arabic form suitable for formal contexts.
Complete the dialogue between a guest and a receptionist.
Guest: عفواً، ____ في الحمام. Receptionist: سأرسل السباك الآن.
The context of sending a plumber (sabāk) implies a malfunction was reported.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are at a friend's house and the sink is leaking.
In a friend's house, the dialect/informal version 'khirbān' is more natural than the formal 'yūjad 'uṭl'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesيوجد ____ في الحمام.
'عطل' (uṭl) is the correct word for malfunction. 'عطلة' means holiday.
Choose the best option:
This is the standard Modern Standard Arabic form suitable for formal contexts.
Guest: عفواً، ____ في الحمام. Receptionist: سأرسل السباك الآن.
The context of sending a plumber (sabāk) implies a malfunction was reported.
Situation: You are at a friend's house and the sink is leaking.
In a friend's house, the dialect/informal version 'khirbān' is more natural than the formal 'yūjad 'uṭl'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'uṭl' can refer to electrical failures as well. You can say 'يوجد عطل في الإضاءة في الحمام'.
In formal MSA, yes. In dialect, you can just say 'Al-hammam khirban'.
You can use 'uṭl', but the specific word for clogged is 'masdūd' (مسدود).
Yes, as Modern Standard Arabic, it is understood by all educated speakers across the Arab world.
Say 'يوجد تسرب في الحمام' (Yūjad tasarrub...).
The plural is 'a'ṭāl' (أعطال). If there are many issues, say 'توجد أعطال في الحمام'.
Yes, 'يوجد عطل في الكمبيوتر' is perfectly correct.
In Arabic, 'hammam' covers toilets, shower rooms, and public baths.
Say: 'أريد خصماً لأن يوجد عطل في الحمام'.
'Uṭl' is a technical failure; 'mushkila' is a general problem (could be social, financial, etc.).
Related Phrases
الماء مقطوع
similarThe water is cut off.
تسرب مياه
specialized formWater leak.
الحمام نظيف
contrastThe bathroom is clean.
صيانة المبنى
builds onBuilding maintenance.
