formaggio
/forˈmad.d͡ʒo/masculine
The English word "cheese" is translated into Italian as formaggio. Wiktionary also lists cacio.
Meaning: dairy product (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| formaggio | /forˈmad.d͡ʒo/ | masculine |
| cacio | /ˈka.t͡ʃo/ | masculine |
formaggio is the standard term used to describe the dairy product. If you are referring specifically to an aged or seasoned cheese, you can use the phrase formaggio stagionato.
Which one should you use?
formaggio is the standard word for any cheese, whereas cacio is often used to refer specifically to hard, aged cheeses.
Is it said differently in some regions?
cacio is common in Central and Southern Italy. Specific varieties of cheese are also tied to certain regions, such as pecorino romano from Rome, gorgonzola from Lombardy and mozzarella di bufala from Campania.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of formaggio is formaggi.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /forˈmad.dʒo/.
Did you know?
- The term mozzarella comes from the verb mozzare, which means 'to cut off'. This describes how the fresh cheese is sliced away from the curd string.
- Italian law protects certain cheeses with a DOP label, which means the cheese must be produced in a specific region using traditional methods to use that name.
- The word formaggio comes from the Latin fōrma, meaning 'mold'. This refers to the physical shape the cheese is pressed into during production.
Examples in context
- Io amo il formaggio.I love cheese.This sentence shows how to express a preference for formaggio.Tatoeba #2394678 by Guybrush88, translation #2151983 by balkanbalkan
- Mi dia il formaggio.Give me the cheese.This sentence demonstrates how to request formaggio.Tatoeba #12567365 by Guybrush88, translation #12440174 by ddnktr
- Io non ho formaggio.I don't have any cheese.This sentence shows how to state that one does not possess formaggio.Tatoeba #14020744 by Guybrush88, translation #9166392 by DJ_Saidez
- Mi piace il formaggioI like cheese
- Vorrei comprare del formaggioI would like to buy some cheese
- Mi piace assaggiare diversi tipi di formaggio stagionatoI love tasting different types of aged cheese
- Dammi un pezzo di cacioGive me a piece of cheese
- il gusto del formaggioThe taste of cheese
- la fetta di formaggioA slice of cheese
- 427 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Giulia are preparing dinner in the kitchen.
- AlessandroGiulia, hai preso il formaggio?Giulia, did you get the cheese?
- GiuliaSì, ho preso il formaggio che ti piace.Yes, I bought the cheese you like.
- AlessandroGrazie, è perfetto per la pasta.Thanks, it is perfect for the pasta.
- GiuliaAllora lo grattugiamo subito.Then let's grate it right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheese” translations and entries formaggio, cacio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cacio, formaggio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
