bicchiere
/bikˈkjɛ.re/
The English phrase "drinking glass" is translated into Italian as bicchiere.
bicchiere refers to the container used for drinking liquids.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the object and the material. bicchiere refers to the drinking vessel, while vetro refers to the material glass itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is bicchiere and the plural form is bicchieri.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. It is pronounced /bikˈkjɛ.re/.
Did you know?
- The word bicchiere descends from the Late Latin word bīcārium, a term that eventually gave rise to several English words including 'beaker' and 'pitcher'.
- In Italy, a bicchiere of wine is often served in a simple, stemless glass when ordered in a casual bar, whereas a 'calice' is used for formal tastings.
- If you want to tell someone to 'drink the glass dry', you would use the expression bere fino in fondo, which literally means to 'drink until the bottom'.
Examples in context
- Mi puoi passare un bicchiere da bere?Can you pass me a drinking glass?
- Vorrei un bicchiere di acqua minerale, per cortesia.I would like a glass of mineral water, please.
- Un bicchiere d'acqua, per favore.A glass of water, please.
- Posso avere un bicchiere d'acqua?Can I have a glass of water?
- Il bicchiere è pieno di succo.The glass is full of juice.
- Hai un bicchiere pulito?Do you have a clean glass?
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are in the kitchen preparing drinks.
- GiuliaLorenzo, dove sono i bicchieri?Lorenzo, where are the glasses?
- LorenzoSono nel mobiletto a destra.They are in the cupboard on the right.
- GiuliaPrendo un bicchiere per me.I'll take a glass for myself.
- LorenzoVa bene, prendine uno anche per me.Alright, take one for me too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bicchiere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bicchiere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
