busta della spesa
The English phrase "grocery bag" is translated into Italian as busta della spesa.
This phrase refers to a bag used for carrying food and other items purchased at a store.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of busta (bag), della (of the) and spesa (shopping/expense).
Which one should you use?
The word busta typically refers to a single paper or plastic bag or an envelope. In contrast, borsa is more commonly used for larger, reusable shopping bags or handbags.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form changes depending on the type of bag: use buste della spesa for disposable bags and borse della spesa for reusable shopping bags.
Did you know?
- In Italy, the term fare la spesa specifically refers to shopping for essentials like groceries, while fare shopping is used for leisure browsing or buying clothes and luxury goods.
- The word busta shares a common ancestor with the English word 'box'. Both originate from the Latin word for 'boxwood', a dense wood traditionally used to make small containers.
- The word spesa comes from the Latin 'expendere', meaning to weigh out or pay out, which is why the word for grocery shopping is the same as the word for 'expense'.
Examples in context
- Prendi la busta della spesa.Take the grocery bag.
- Dov'è la mia busta della spesa?Where is my grocery bag?
- Questa busta della spesa è molto pesante.This grocery bag is very heavy.
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are in the kitchen after returning from the market.
- SofiaAlessandro, puoi aiutarmi con la busta della spesa?Alessandro, can you help me with the grocery bag?
- AlessandroCerto Sofia, passami pure la busta.Of course Sofia, just hand me the bag.
- SofiaAttento, è un po' pesante.Be careful, it is a bit heavy.
- AlessandroNessun problema, la porto io.No problem, I'll carry it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries busta, della, spesa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
