ragù alla bolognese
masculine
In Italian, bolognese refers to a tomato- and ground meat-based sauce. If unsure, use ragù alla bolognese. Wiktionary also lists ragù bolognese and ragù.
Meaning: tomato- and ground meat-based sauce (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ragù alla bolognese | masculine | |
| ragù bolognese | masculine | |
| ragù | /raˈɡu/ | masculine |
While ragù is a general term for any meat-based sauce, ragù alla bolognese specifically refers to the traditional sauce from Bologna.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase alla bolognese literally means in the Bolognese style or in the manner of Bologna.
Which one should you use?
In Italy, if you simply ask for ragù without specifying a city, people will often assume you mean the meat sauce typical of the Emilia-Romagna region.
Related words
Did you know?
- The official recipe for ragù alla bolognese is registered with the Bologna Chamber of Commerce to protect its authenticity.
- If you order 'spaghetti alla bolognese' in a traditional Italian restaurant, you might be corrected, as the sauce is historically served with tagliatelle.
- The word ragù comes from the French word ragoût, which was intended to describe something that could 'awaken the appetite'.
Examples in context
- Il sugo alla Bolognese è una specialità gastronomica dell'Italia.Bolognese sauce is a culinary specialty of Italy.
- Ho cucinato la pasta con la salsa bolognese.I cooked pasta with bolognese sauce.
- Voglio un piatto di tagliatelle al ragù, per favore.I'd like a plate of tagliatelle with bolognese sauce, please.
- Il ragù alla bolognese è molto saporito.The bolognese ragù is very flavorful.
- Mi piace molto il ragù alla bolognese.I like bolognese ragù a lot.
- Hai preparato un ottimo ragù alla bolognese.You prepared an excellent bolognese ragù.
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- FrancescoCosa prepariamo per cena, Martina?What should we prepare for dinner, Martina?
- MartinaFacciamo della pasta con il ragù alla bolognese.Let's make some pasta with bolognese sauce.
- FrancescoOttima idea, ho molta fame!Great idea, I am very hungry!
- MartinaAllora vado a prendere la carne.Then I will go get the meat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bolognese” translations and entries ragù bolognese, ragù, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bolognese, ragù, CC BY-SA 4.0.
