affogato
/af.foˈɡa.to/masculine
In Italian, affogato is the term for the dessert consisting of ice cream drowned in espresso.
The term is used in a culinary context to describe a specific dessert where a scoop of gelato is 'drowned' by a shot of hot espresso.
Meaning: dessert (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word affogato is the masculine past participle of the verb affogare, which means 'to drown'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Sicily, locals may refer to an affogato as caffè affucato.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the dessert is typically referred to using the masculine form affogato, the feminine form affogata would be used if the noun being modified is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/af.foˈɡa.to/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian cuisine, 'drowning' is a cooking technique used for savory dishes too, such as polpo affogato, where octopus is slow-cooked in tomato sauce.
- While affogato usually refers to coffee and ice cream, the term is also used for affogato al liquore, where a piece of cake or a biscuit is 'drowned' in a sweet dessert wine or liqueur.
- Unlike many Italian coffee drinks, the affogato is often treated as a dessert rather than a beverage and is frequently served in a glass or a bowl instead of a cup.
Examples in context
- Potrei avere un affogato, per favore?Can I have an affogato, please?
- Mi consiglia una buona gelateria dove posso gustare un autentico affogato?Can you recommend a good gelateria where I can enjoy an authentic affogato?
- Hai mai provato l'affogato? È una combinazione perfetta di entrambi.Have you ever tried affogato? It's a perfect combination of both.
- Ti suggerirei di provare l'affogato. È semplice ma delizioso.I would suggest trying the affogato. It's simple but delicious.
- Cerco un posto dove posso gustare un autentico affogato.I'm looking for a place where I can enjoy an authentic affogato.
- Vorrei un affogato, per favore.I would like an affogato, please.
- L'affogato è il mio dolce preferito.The affogato is my favorite dessert.
- Prendiamo un affogato da dividere?Shall we have an affogato to share?
Example conversation
A couple is finishing their meal at a cafe.
- SofiaVuoi ordinare un dessert?Do you want to order a dessert?
- LorenzoSì, prendiamo un affogato.Yes, let's have an affogato.
- SofiaOttima idea, Lorenzo!Great idea, Lorenzo!
- LorenzoÈ un dolce molto goloso.It is a very delicious dessert.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “affogato” translations and entries affogato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
