Barista
/baˈris.ta/
The Italian word for bartender is Barista.
Barista is used to describe a person who works behind a bar. While English speakers often use "bartender" to imply someone who serves alcohol, the Italian Barista is a broader term that includes anyone working in a bar, including those who primarily prepare coffee.
Meaning: person who works in a bar (noun)
Which one should you use?
In English, a "bartender" often focuses on alcohol, but in Italian, Barista is the common term for anyone working in a bar setting, including coffee shop workers.
How does it change in a sentence?
Barista is an invariable noun, meaning its spelling stays the same regardless of gender. The article used before the word determines if it is masculine or feminine. To form the plural, use baristi for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and use bariste when referring exclusively to a group of female bartenders.
How do you pronounce it?
/baˈris.ta/ (three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable)
Did you know?
- The word barista was adopted into English in the 1980s specifically to describe coffee specialists, but in its home language it never lost its connection to alcohol.
- In Italy, it is culturally common to drink your coffee standing up at the banco served by the barista rather than sitting at a table.
- While barista is the person, the physical counter they work behind is called the banco, which literally means 'bench' or 'table'.
Examples in context
- Tom era un barista.Tom used to be a bartender.This sentence is useful for showing the past tense of the word Barista.Tatoeba #6540778 by Guybrush88, translation #6531381 by CK
- Io sono un barista.I'm a bartender.This sentence is useful for expressing one's own profession using Barista.Tatoeba #7071197 by Guybrush88, translation #5858249 by CK
- Sami era un barista.Sami was a bartender.Tatoeba #7205463 by Guybrush88, translation #7205364 by OsoHombre
- Buonasera, posso parlare con il barista?Good evening, may I speak with the bartender?
- Mi scusi, potrebbe chiamare un barman?Excuse me, could you call a bartender?
- Ciao, dove posso trovare un barista simpatico come te?Hi, where can I find a friendly bartender like you?
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are at a cafe.
- AlessandroChi è il barista oggi?Who is the bartender today?
- SofiaÈ Marco, il nuovo barista.It's Marco, the new bartender.
- AlessandroFa un ottimo caffè questo barista.This bartender makes great coffee.
- SofiaSì, è molto bravo.Yes, he is very good.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry barista.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
