cucina
/kuˈt͡ʃi.na/
The English word 'cooking' can be translated into Italian as cucina.
cucina refers to one's ability to prepare food or one's cookery. Additionally, the idiom mettere le mani in pasta means to get involved in something.
Meaning: one's ability to prepare food, cookery (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word cucina literally means 'kitchen', but it is also the word used to describe the skill or style of cooking. It is derived from the infinitive verb cucinare, which means 'to cook'.
Which one should you use?
While cucina can refer to the skill of cooking, it is also used to denote a specific style of cuisine.
How do you pronounce it?
cucina is pronounced /kuˈtʃi.na/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- Italian has a specific term cucina povera which translates to 'poor kitchen'. It refers to a culinary tradition of making delicious meals from inexpensive, humble ingredients.
- Italian culture distinguishes between cucina as a general skill and gastronomia, which refers to the more scientific or gourmet study of food.
- The word cucina shares a common ancestor with the English word 'cook', both stemming from the Latin 'coquere', meaning 'to boil' or 'to cook'.
Examples in context
- È bravo a cucinare.He is good at cooking.This sentence is useful for describing someone's ability to use the form cucina.Tatoeba #4267438 by Guybrush88, translation #304748 by CK
- Odio la tua cucina.I hate your cooking.This sentence is useful for expressing an opinion about someone's cucina.Tatoeba #8377048 by Guybrush88, translation #4496939 by CK
- A te piace cucinare?Do you like cooking?This sentence is useful for asking a question about the preference for the form cucina.Tatoeba #2010246 by Guybrush88, translation #953202 by CK
- Mi piace cucinareI like cooking
- Devo cucinare la cena staseraI have to cook dinner tonight
- Le mie responsabilità includono preparare i pasti quotidianiMy responsibilities include cooking daily meals
- Gli chef di alta cucina sanno come riprodurre ricette complesseHigh-end chefs know how to reproduce complex recipes
- Ho fatto da mangiare per tuttiI made something to eat for everyone
- Stasera preparo qualcosa di specialeTonight, I'll cook something special
- Domani sera cucino io. Cosa preferisci che prepari?Tomorrow evening, I'll cook. What would you like me to make?
- Mi piace cucinare. Oggi ho riprodotto una deliziosa ricetta di pasta all'arrabbiataI enjoy cooking. Today I reproduced a delicious pasta all'arrabbiata recipe
- Mettiamo le mani in pasta e facciamo una torta insiemeLet's put our hands in the dough and bake a cake together
- Stasera preparo una cena leggera con insalata e un contorno di verdureTonight, I'm preparing a light dinner with salad and a side of vegetables
- 351 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are discussing a meal at a restaurant.
- ChiaraLa cucina di questo ristorante è fantastica.The cooking of this restaurant is fantastic.
- FrancescoSì, la cucina è davvero eccellente.Yes, the cooking is truly excellent.
- ChiaraFrancesco, vuoi provare il dolce?Francesco, do you want to try the dessert?
- FrancescoSì, grazie, mi sembra delizioso.Yes, thank you, it looks delicious to me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cucina, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cucina, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
