formaggio a pasta dura
/forˈmad.d͡ʒo a ˈpas.ta ˈdu.ra/word by word
Hard cheese in Italian is formaggio a pasta dura.
This phrase is used to describe a standard type of firm, ripe cheese.
Meaning: A standard type of firm, ripe cheese (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of formaggio (cheese), a (with), pasta (paste or dough) and dura (hard).
Which one should you use?
To describe soft cheese instead of hard cheese, replace dura with molle.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Examples of hard cheeses from specific regions include Pecorino Romano from Lazio and Piave from the Veneto region.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective dura must agree in gender and number with the noun pasta (feminine singular), rather than with the noun formaggio (masculine singular).
How do you pronounce it?
/forˈmad.dʒo a ˈpas.ta ˈdu.ra/. The word has 7 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word formaggio comes from the Latin word fōrma, which means 'mould'. This refers to the physical shape used to press the cheese as it matures.
- Because hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano are so crystalline, Italians often break them into irregular chunks with a special knife rather than slicing them.
- Italian law protects certain hard cheeses, like Pecorino Romano, through a system called DOP. This ensures the cheese is made in a specific region using traditional methods.
Examples in context
- Preferisco il formaggio a pasta dura.I prefer hard cheese.
- Hai comprato del formaggio a pasta dura?Did you buy some hard cheese?
- Questo formaggio a pasta dura è ottimo.This hard cheese is excellent.
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are shopping at a local deli.
- ChiaraLorenzo, cerchiamo un formaggio a pasta dura.Lorenzo, let's look for a hard cheese.
- LorenzoSì, prendiamo questo pezzo di parmigiano.Yes, let's take this piece of parmesan.
- ChiaraÈ un ottimo formaggio a pasta dura.It is an excellent hard cheese.
- LorenzoAllora lo mettiamo nel carrello.Then let's put it in the cart.
