benedizione della tavola
The English phrase 'grace before a meal' is translated into Italian as benedizione della tavola.
The term refers to a short prayer of thanks to God said before eating a meal. If you want to express the action of saying grace, you use the verb fare (to do/make) in the phrase fare la benedizione della tavola.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase benedizione della tavola literally translates to 'blessing of the table'.
Which one should you use?
While benedizione della tavola is the standard term, you can also use the more descriptive and less formal phrase preghiera prima di mangiare, which means 'prayer before eating'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to multiple instances of grace, use the plural form benedizioni della tavola.
Did you know?
- In many Italian households, the action of fare la benedizione may be replaced by the sign of the cross, which serves as a silent 'grace before a meal'.
- While tavola is used in the phrase for grace, it is distinct from tavolo, which refers more specifically to the piece of furniture rather than the set meal.
- The word tavola comes from the Latin tabula, which originally meant a 'plank'. This is the same ancestor that gave us the English word 'tablet'.
Examples in context
- Signore, benedici questo cibo che ci hai concesso. Grazie per le tue benedizioni. Amen.Lord, bless this food that you have granted us. Thank you for your blessings. Amen.
- Ti ringraziamo, o Signore, per questo cibo che abbiamo di fronte. Possa ciò che mangiamo rafforzare il nostro corpo e la nostra anima. Amen.We thank you, O Lord, for this food before us. May what we eat strengthen our bodies and our souls. Amen.
- Grazie, Dio, per questo buon cibo e per le persone speciali con cui lo condividiamo. Amen!Thank you, God, this delicious food and the special people we share it with. Amen!
- Il nonno recita la benedizione della tavola ogni sera.Grandpa recites the grace before a meal every evening.
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are sitting down for dinner.
- FrancescoSiamo tutti pronti per la benedizione della tavola?Are we all ready for the grace before the meal?
- MartinaSì, Francesco, possiamo iniziare ora.Yes, Francesco, we can start now.
- FrancescoAllora chiudi gli occhi e ascolta.Then close your eyes and listen.
- MartinaGrazie per aver guidato la preghiera.Thank you for leading the prayer.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries benedizione, della, tavola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
