ciambella
/t͡ʃamˈbɛl.la/feminine
The Italian word for doughnut is ciambella.
A ciambella is a deep-fried piece of dough or batter. Depending on the context, it can refer to a general ring-shaped doughnut or to a specific type of traditional Italian ring-shaped cake.
Meaning: deep-fried piece of dough or batter (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ciambella is the general term for a ring-shaped doughnut, it is also the specific name for a traditional Italian ring-shaped cake. If you are looking for a filled doughnut, such as one filled with cream or chocolate, the term bombolone is used. For a larger, ring-shaped cake, use ciambellone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ciambella is ciambelle. This noun is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. The IPA is /tʃamˈbɛl.la/.
Did you know?
- The word ciambella is used in Italian to describe any ring-shaped object, such as a rubber swim ring or a gasket in an engine.
- The word ciambella might be a linguistic relative of the Latin word cymbula, which means a small bowl or cup.
- In many Italian bakeries, you will find ciambelle that are not sweet, but are instead savory, often containing salt or cheese.
Examples in context
- Lei mangiò una ciambella.She ate a doughnut.This sentence shows how to use ciambella in the past tense.Tatoeba #5778803 by Guybrush88, translation #2875442 by Amastan
- Sto mangiando una ciambella.I am eating a doughnut.This sentence shows how to use ciambella in the continuous present tense.Tatoeba #3020094 by Guybrush88, translation #1665885 by Amastan
- Prendi una ciambella.Have a doughnut.This sentence shows how to use ciambella when offering something to someone.Tatoeba #2883530 by Guybrush88, translation #2883528 by CM
- Vorrei un bombolone alla crema, per favore.I would like a cream-filled doughnut, please.
- Oggi ho mangiato una deliziosa ciambella al cioccolato.Today I ate a delicious chocolate doughnut.
- Nella mia città natale, le frittelle sono un dolce tradizionale.In my hometown, frittelle are a traditional sweet treat.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Martina are at a bakery.
- AlessandroVuoi una ciambella al cioccolato?Do you want a chocolate doughnut?
- MartinaSì, grazie, ne prendo una.Yes, thank you, I'll take one.
- AlessandroQuesta ciambella sembra molto soffice.This doughnut looks very soft.
- MartinaHai ragione, è deliziosa!You are right, it is delicious!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “doughnut” translations and entries ciambella, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciambella, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
