pizza ai quattro formaggi
In Italian, cheese pizza is translated as pizza ai quattro formaggi.
While an English speaker might say 'cheese pizza' to mean any pizza with cheese, in Italy, ordering a 'cheese pizza' is not a standard menu item. Instead, the 'quattro formaggi' (four cheese) is the standard way to order a multi-cheese pizza.
What does it mean word for word?
The part ai quattro formaggi literally means 'with the four cheeses'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase pizza ai quattro formaggi, the preposition ai is a contraction of a (to/at) and i (the), used here to indicate the ingredients or flavoring.
Did you know?
- In Italy, if you want a pizza with only cheese and no tomato sauce, you should ask for a pizza bianca. Ordering a 'cheese pizza' based on the English concept might lead the waiter to assume you still want the standard red base.
- Beyond the Greek influence, some historians believe the word pizza may have come from the Lombardic word bizza, which suggests the term actually spread from the north of Italy to the south.
- While the phrase pizza ai quattro formaggi means 'four cheese', there is no official legal rule dictating which four cheeses a chef must use.
Examples in context
- Cucinai una pizza ai quattro formaggi.I cooked a four-cheese pizza.Tatoeba #13661699 by Guybrush88, translation #13426664 by rul
- Vorrei ordinare una pizza ai formaggi, per favore.I would like to order a cheese pizza, please.
- Vorrei una pizza ai quattro formaggi, per favore.I would like a cheese pizza, please.
- Questa pizza ai quattro formaggi è buonissima!This cheese pizza is delicious!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are ordering food at a restaurant.
- AlessandroCosa prendi da mangiare, Chiara?What are you getting to eat, Chiara?
- ChiaraPrendo una pizza ai quattro formaggi.I'll have a cheese pizza.
- AlessandroOttima scelta, è la mia preferita!Great choice, it's my favorite!
- ChiaraAllora ordiniamone due!Then let's order two!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pizza, quattro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
