latte
/ˈlat.te/
The English phrase "dairy milk" is translated into Italian as latte.
latte refers to the white liquid produced by mammals that is used as food or a drink.
Which one should you use?
While latte is the standard term, Latte vaccino is a more formal way to specify dairy milk and Latte di mucca is used specifically to mean "cow's milk".
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈlat.te/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly order un latte expecting a coffee with milk. However, in Italy, latte refers only to the plain white liquid.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the Milky Way galaxy is called la Via Lattea, which literally translates to 'the Milky Way'. The adjective lattea is a direct derivative of latte.
- The word latte shares the same linguistic root as the English word 'lactase', the enzyme used to digest milk sugars.
- Because latte strictly means milk, Italians often refer to a 'latte' from an American coffee shop as a caffè latte to make sense of the ingredients.
Examples in context
- Mi passi il latte, per favore?Could you pass me the milk, please?
- Vorrei un bicchiere di latte, per favore.I would like a glass of milk, please.
- Il latte è nel frigorifero.The milk is in the refrigerator.
- Vuoi un po' di latte nel caffè?Do you want some milk in your coffee?
- Preferisco il latte freddo.I prefer cold milk.
Example conversation
Two people are in the kitchen in the morning.
- AlessandroHai comprato il latte?Did you buy the milk?
- ChiaraSì, è sul tavolo.Yes, it is on the table.
- AlessandroGrazie, Chiara.Thanks, Chiara.
- ChiaraPrego, Alessandro.You're welcome, Alessandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry latte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries latte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
