cornetto al cioccolato
/korˈnet.to al t͡ʃok.koˈla.to/word by word
The English phrase "chocolate croissant" is translated into Italian as cornetto al cioccolato.
cornetto al cioccolato refers to a flaky, crescent-shaped pastry filled with chocolate. It is a standard breakfast item in Italy, frequently ordered at a bar (café), often alongside a cappuccino.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "little horn with chocolate", where the word "cornetto" refers to the crescent shape of the pastry.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form, "chocolate croissants", change the noun cornetto to cornetti while keeping the rest of the phrase the same: cornetti al cioccolato.
How do you pronounce it?
/korˈnet.to al tʃok.koˈla.to/. The word has 6 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word cornetto is also used to describe a traditional Neapolitan amulet shaped like a small red horn. These charms are worn to ward off the 'evil eye' and bad luck.
- The word cioccolato entered the Italian language via Spanish, which in turn borrowed it from the Classical Nahuatl word chocolātl.
- If you order a cornetto al cioccolato at a bar, it is culturally standard to eat it while standing at the counter rather than sitting at a table, which often incurs a higher 'service' price.
Examples in context
- Vorrei un cornetto al cioccolato, per favore.I would like a chocolate croissant, please.
- Mi piacerebbe mangiare una brioche al cioccolato, grazie.I would like to eat a chocolate croissant, thank you.
- Il cornetto al cioccolato è molto buono.The chocolate croissant is very good.
- Hai mangiato un cornetto al cioccolato stamattina?Did you eat a chocolate croissant this morning?
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are at a breakfast café.
- GiuliaAlessandro, cosa vuoi mangiare per colazione?Alessandro, what do you want to eat for breakfast?
- AlessandroVorrei un cornetto al cioccolato.I would like a chocolate croissant.
- GiuliaOttima scelta! Ne prendo uno anch'io.Great choice! I'll have one too.
- AlessandroPerfetto, ordiniamo subito.Perfect, let's order right away.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (cornetto, al, cioccolato) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cioccolato, cornetto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
