alimentari
/a.li.menˈta.ri/masculine
The Italian word for grocery store is alimentari.
The term alimentari refers to a place where groceries can be purchased. It is often used to describe smaller, more traditional food shops.
Meaning: a store where groceries can be purchased, especially a supermarket (noun)
Which one should you use?
In Italian, you should use supermercato when referring to large, modern grocery stores, whereas alimentari is more appropriate for smaller, traditional food shops.
How does it change in a sentence?
While alimentari can be used as a shorthand for a grocery store, the full noun phrase is negozio di alimentari.
How do you pronounce it?
/a.li.menˈta.ri/. It has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- The word alimentari shares the same Latin root as the English word 'alimentary', which refers to the digestive tract or nutrition.
- It is common to find an alimentari that also functions as a tabaccheria, selling tobacco products and government stamps alongside food.
- In many small Italian towns, the alimentari serves as a social hub where the shopkeeper knows every customer by name and often manages credit via a handwritten ledger.
Examples in context
- Tom andò al negozio di alimentari.Tom went to the grocery store.This sentence is useful for showing how to say someone went to the grocery store.Tatoeba #4567592 by Guybrush88, translation #4498985 by CK
- Sami era un cassiere in un negozio di alimentari.Sami was a cashier at a grocery store.This sentence is useful for describing someone's job at a grocery store.Tatoeba #9982804 by Guybrush88, translation #6376135 by OsoHombre
- Questo negozio di alimentari vende solo cibo biologico.This grocery store only sells organic food.This sentence is useful for describing what a specific grocery store sells.Tatoeba #4193163 by Guybrush88, translation #4190431 by Hybrid
- Ho bisogno di fare la spesa al supermercato.I need to go grocery shopping at the supermarket.
- Oggi vado al negozio di alimentari per comprare tutto il necessario.Today, I'm going to the grocery store to buy everything we need.
- Vado alla bottega per comprare i prodotti freschi.I'm going to the grocery store to buy fresh products.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Matteo are planning their shopping trip.
- ChiaraDobbiamo andare agli alimentari per il latte.We need to go to the grocery store for milk.
- MatteoIl negozio di alimentari è aperto?Is the grocery store open?
- ChiaraSì, gli alimentari chiudono alle otto.Yes, the grocery store closes at eight.
- MatteoPerfetto, andiamo subito allora.Perfect, let's go right now then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grocery store” translations and entries alimentari, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
