pancetta
/panˈt͡ʃet.ta/feminine
The Italian word for bacon is pancetta.
pancetta refers to a cut of meat, specifically cured pork belly. While English speakers use the term 'bacon' for various smoked pork products, in Italy, pancetta specifically refers to cured pork belly, which is often not smoked.
Meaning: cut of meat (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word pancetta comes from pancia (belly) with the diminutive suffix -etta, meaning little belly.
How does it change in a sentence?
pancetta is a feminine noun and is typically used with the feminine definite article la.
How do you pronounce it?
The stress is on the second of three syllables.
Did you know?
- The classic pasta dish 'Carbonara' traditionally uses guanciale, which is cured pork cheek, rather than pancetta.
- In Italy, if you want the crispy, smoked 'bacon' common in American breakfasts, you should ask for bacon using the English word, as pancetta is usually unsmoked.
- If you see pancetta tesa on a menu, it refers to a version that has been dried and stretched, whereas pancetta arrotolata is the rolled version often seen in shops.
Examples in context
- Io amo la pancetta.I love bacon.This sentence is useful for expressing a strong liking for pancetta.Tatoeba #7783750 by Guybrush88, translation #7783594 by CK
- Mi piace la pancetta.I like bacon.This sentence is useful for expressing a general liking for pancetta.Tatoeba #6609514 by Guybrush88, translation #6849005 by CK
- Sento odore di pancetta.I smell bacon.This sentence is useful for describing the scent of pancetta.Tatoeba #2554051 by Guybrush88, translation #2247414 by CK
- Ho comprato del bacon per preparare degli hamburger.I bought some bacon to make hamburgers.
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is shopping for ingredients in a supermarket.
- FrancescoPrendo della pancetta per la pasta.I'll take some pancetta for the pasta.
- MartinaSì, prendi anche del parmigiano.Yes, get some parmesan too.
- FrancescoVuoi che compri anche del pane?Do you want me to buy some bread too?
- MartinaNo, non serve, abbiamo ancora il pane.No, it's not necessary, we still have bread.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bacon” translations and entries pancetta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
