formaggio spalmabile
Cream cheese in Italian is formaggio spalmabile.
In Italy, formaggio spalmabile is the term used for any soft, spreadable cheese, such as those in the style of Philadelphia products, rather than being a literal translation of the English words for 'cream' and 'cheese'.
Meaning: milk-based cheese product (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of formaggio, which means cheese and spalmabile, which means spreadable.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun formaggio is masculine, so the adjective spalmabile must agree in gender, although spalmabile is the same for both masculine and feminine singular forms. The plural form of the phrase is formaggi spalmabili.
Did you know?
- The word formaggio shares its roots with the English word 'form', because cheese is traditionally shaped in a 'form' or mould.
- If you ask for crema di latte instead of formaggio spalmabile, you might end up with thick cream rather than a cheese product.
- The adjective spalmabile comes from the verb spalmare, which is also the word used for spreading paint on a wall or ointment on skin.
Examples in context
- Ha del formaggio spalmabile?Do you have any cream cheese?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has any formaggio spalmabile.Tatoeba #14031625 by Guybrush88, translation #4016721 by CK
- Vorrei un po' di crema di formaggio tipo PhiladelphiaI would like some cream cheese, like Philadelphia
- Compro un po' di formaggio spalmabile.I am buying some cream cheese.
- Questo formaggio spalmabile è molto buono.This cream cheese is very good.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are in the supermarket.
- MatteoChiara, prendi il formaggio spalmabile?Chiara, are you getting the cream cheese?
- ChiaraSì, lo prendo subito.Yes, I'll get it right away.
- MatteoOttimo, ne serve per la torta.Great, we need it for the cake.
- ChiaraVa bene, lo mettiamo nel carrello.Alright, let's put it in the cart.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries formaggio, spalmabile, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
