Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cocktail | /ˈkɔk.tel/ | masculine |
| polibibita | feminine, rare | |
| coccotello | masculine, rare |
The most common way to refer to an alcoholic beverage is by using the English loanword cocktail. In informal settings, you might hear Italians use the English word 'drink' to refer to a cocktail or they may use the term aperitivo to describe a pre-dinner drink that is served with small snacks.
Which one should you use?
While cocktail is the standard term, you may encounter the rare and somewhat technical or old-fashioned term polibibita to mean a mixed drink. The term coccotello is also a rare masculine noun for the same thing.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
cocktail is the common, standard term used in bars and restaurants throughout Italy. polibibita and coccotello are rare.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions, the Sgroppino is a popular cocktail variation. Additionally, in the Veneto region, the Aperol Spritz is commonly referred to simply as Spritz.
How does it change in a sentence?
cocktail is a masculine noun. polibibita is a feminine noun, and coccotello is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkɔk.tel/ (two syllables, stress on the first syllable)
When do people say it?
The culture of the aperitivo is significant, referring to the practice of having a pre-dinner drink accompanied by small snacks.
Did you know?
- The word coccotello is a playful, phonetic Italianization of the English word 'cocktail' designed to make it sound more like a native Italian noun.
- A 'Sgroppino' is not just any cocktail, but a specific regional specialty from the Veneto that behaves like a cocktail and a dessert combined, as it is made with lemon sorbet and Prosecco.
- While cocktail usually implies alcohol, the word bibita on its own almost exclusively refers to non-alcoholic soft drinks or sodas. This makes the word inside polibibita quite misleading for a cocktail.
Examples in context
- Le passò un cocktail.He handed a cocktail to her.This sentence shows the use of cocktail in a sentence involving a female recipient.Tatoeba #10040442 by Guybrush88, translation #8519287 by CH
- Gli passò un cocktail.She handed a cocktail to him.This sentence shows the use of cocktail in a sentence involving a male recipient.Tatoeba #10269814 by Guybrush88, translation #8519288 by CH
- Si preparò un cocktail.He fixed himself a cocktail.This sentence shows how to use cocktail when someone is preparing a drink for themselves.Tatoeba #8292666 by Guybrush88, translation #7383296 by CH
- Vorrei un aperitivo, per favoreI'd like an aperitivo, please
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are at a bar in the evening.
- ChiaraVuoi ordinare un cocktail?Do you want to order a cocktail?
- FrancescoSì, preferisco un cocktail fresco.Yes, I prefer a refreshing cocktail.
- ChiaraIo prendo un cocktail al limone.I'll have a lemon cocktail.
- FrancescoOttima scelta per stasera!Great choice for tonight!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cocktail” translations and entries cocktail, polibibita, coccotello, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
