cavolo riccio
/ˈka.vo.lo ˈrit.t͡ʃo/word by word
The English phrase collard greens is translated into Italian as cavolo riccio.
cavolo riccio refers to the plant known as collard greens.
Meaning: plant (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈka.vo.lo ˈrit.tʃo/. It has 5 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The adjective riccio in cavolo riccio literally means 'hedgehog'.
- In some Italian dialects, the word for cabbage is used to describe something of very little value or a 'trifling' matter.
- While 'collard greens' is a specific culinary staple in the Southern US, using cavolo riccio in Italy usually refers more broadly to curly kale or similar textured greens.
Examples in context
- Il cavolo riccio è molto nutriente.Collard greens are very nutritious.
- Vorrei comprare del cavolo riccio fresco.I would like to buy some fresh collard greens.
- Hai assaggiato il cavolo riccio saltato in padella?Have you tasted the sautéed collard greens?
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are at a local farmer's market.
- SofiaAlessandro, guarda che bell'aspetto ha questo cavolo riccio!Alessandro, look how good this collard greens looks!
- AlessandroSì, Sofia, sembra davvero molto fresco.Yes, Sofia, it looks really fresh.
- SofiaPrendo un mazzetto per la cena.I'll take a bunch for dinner.
- AlessandroOttima idea, lo cucinerò io per te.Great idea, I will cook it for you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cavolo riccio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (cavolo, riccio) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cavolo, riccio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
