primo piatto
/ˈpri.mo ˈpjat.to/word by word
The Italian phrase for entree is primo piatto.
primo piatto refers to the first course of a meal served before the main dish. In a restaurant setting, you will often see the category i primi on a menu to refer to the section containing first courses like pasta or risotto.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase primo piatto literally means first dish.
Which one should you use?
primo piatto is the course served before the secondo piatto, which is the main course (usually meat or fish).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈpri.mo ˈpjat.to/. It has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- While a primo piatto is the first course, it is preceded by antipasti, which are the actual appetizers meant to whet the appetite before the pasta or rice arrives.
- The word piatto comes from the Ancient Greek platús, meaning 'broad' or 'flat'.
- It is rare to see a primo piatto served on the same plate as the secondo piatto. Doing so is often seen as a fast-food or cafeteria style of serving rather than a traditional meal.
Examples in context
- Ho ordinato il piatto principale: un delizioso filetto di manzo.I ordered the main course: a delicious beef filet.
- Mi raccomando, lasciati spazio per il piatto principale. È delizioso!Make sure to save some room for the main course. It's delicious!
- Ho già deciso: prenderò il secondo, il petto di pollo ai funghi.I've already decided: I'll get the main course, chicken breast with mushrooms.
- Il primo piatto è molto buono.The first course is very good.
- Vuoi ordinare un primo piatto?Do you want to order a first course?
- Ho scelto un primo piatto di pasta.I chose a pasta first course.
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are ordering dinner at a restaurant.
- MatteoGiulia, cosa prendi come primo piatto?Giulia, what are you having as a first course?
- GiuliaPrendo il risotto ai funghi.I'll have the mushroom risotto.
- MatteoOttima scelta, lo prendo anch'io.Great choice, I'll have that too.
- GiuliaSpero che sia molto buono!I hope it's very good!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (primo, piatto) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries piatto, primo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
