Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cioccolato | /t͡ʃok.koˈla.to/ | masculine |
| cioccolata | /t͡ʃok.koˈla.ta/ | feminine |
The term refers to food made from ground roasted cocoa beans. You use the masculine form cioccolato when referring to chocolate as a solid food, a specific type of confectionery or as a general substance and ingredient. If you are talking about a small piece of chocolate or a chocolatey snack, the word cioccolatino is used.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the form of the chocolate you are describing. Use the masculine cioccolato for the substance, ingredient or solid food. Use the feminine cioccolata specifically when referring to a cup or a drink made of chocolate, such as hot chocolate.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form cioccolato is a masculine noun, while the feminine form cioccolata is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /tʃok.koˈla.to/.
Did you know?
- In Italy, cioccolata calda is traditionally much thicker than the hot chocolate found in the US or UK, often having a pudding-like consistency that requires a spoon.
- The Italian word cioccolato shares its DNA with the Nahuatl word chocolātl, tracing the history of the ingredient from the Americas to Europe.
- In Italian culture, cioccolata is often associated with winter and is a staple of the 'merenda' or mid-afternoon snack for children.
Examples in context
- Ann ama il cioccolato.Ann loves chocolate.This sentence shows the use of the masculine form cioccolato to express a preference.Tatoeba #1645073 by Guybrush88, translation #413336 by CN
- Tom ama la cioccolata.Tom loves chocolate.This sentence shows the use of the feminine form cioccolata to express a preference.Tatoeba #4859663 by Guybrush88, translation #4080000 by CK
- Io odio la cioccolata.I hate chocolate.This sentence shows the use of the feminine form cioccolata to express a dislike.Tatoeba #12922324 by Guybrush88, translation #10092607 by espamatics
- Mi piace il cioccolato fondente.I like dark chocolate.
- Vorrei una tazza di cioccolata calda.I would like a cup of hot chocolate.
- Mi regalerei un cioccolatino ogni giorno.I would treat myself to a chocolate every day.
- 249 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A kitchen in the afternoon.
- FrancescoVuoi un po' di cioccolato?Do you want some chocolate?
- SofiaSì, grazie Francesco.Yes, thanks Francesco.
- FrancescoQuesto cioccolato è molto buono.This chocolate is very good.
- SofiaHai ragione, è delizioso.You are right, it is delicious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chocolate” translations and entries cioccolato, cioccolata, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cioccolato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
