mangiare la pasta
/manˈd͡ʒa.re la ˈpas.ta/word by word
The phrase 'eat pasta' in Italian is mangiare la pasta.
The phrase is used to describe the action of consuming a meal made of pasta. In Italian, the definite article la is almost always used before pasta when you are referring to the food in a general sense or as a component of a meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'to eat the pasta' because the definite article la is included.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive mangiare changes depending on who is eating. For example, it changes to mangio for 'I eat pasta' (first-person singular present tense) and to mangiamo for 'we eat pasta' (first-person plural present tense).
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/manˈdʒa.re la ˈpas.ta/', 'syllables': 5, 'stressed_syllable': '2 of 5'}
Did you know?
- The verb mangiare is a linguistic relative of the English word 'masticate'. Both words trace back to the Latin 'mandūcāre', which specifically meant 'to chew'.
- In Italian, the word pasta is not limited to noodles and can refer to any kind of dough or a thick paste, such as a mixture used for painting.
- While English speakers use 'pasta' for many shapes, Italians categorize these various shapes as formati, which literally means 'formats'.
Examples in context
- Ci piace mangiare la pasta.We like to eat pasta.This sentence shows how to express a general preference using mangiare la pasta.Tatoeba #12863374 by Guybrush88, translation #12055103 by shekitten
- Preferisce mangiare la pasta con il ketchup.He prefers to eat pasta with ketchup.This sentence uses mangiare la pasta to describe a specific preference regarding a condiment.Tatoeba #11096225 by Guybrush88, translation #8575230 by ET
- Signore, mangi la pasta?Sir, would you like to eat some pasta?
- Oggi voglio mangiare la pasta.Today I want to eat pasta.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to cook for dinner.
- AlessandroCosa vuoi fare per cena, Sofia?What do you want to do for dinner, Sofia?
- SofiaMi piacerebbe mangiare la pasta.I would like to eat pasta.
- AlessandroVa bene, preparo subito la pasta per noi.Okay, I will prepare the pasta for us right away.
- SofiaGrazie, Alessandro, sei molto gentile.Thank you, Alessandro, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (mangiare, la, pasta) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, mangiare, pasta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
