sto mangiando
The English phrase "I am eating" is translated into Italian as sto mangiando.
This phrase is used to say that the speaker is currently in the process of eating.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb stare (to be/to stay) in the first-person singular present tense and the gerund of mangiare (to eat).
Which one should you use?
While sto mangiando emphasizes the ongoing action right now, the simple present mangio can also be used to mean "I am eating" in many contexts or to describe a habitual action.
How does it change in a sentence?
This construction uses the present continuous to describe an action happening exactly at the moment of speaking.
Did you know?
- While sto mangiando means 'I am eating', the verb mangiare is often used colloquially to mean 'to enjoy' or 'to consume' things that are not food, such as mangiare chilometri to describe driving a long distance.
- Unlike English, where 'eating' is common, Italians may use the more formal sto cenando or sto pranzando to specify if they are eating dinner or lunch.
- To describe someone who is eating greedily or quickly, Italians use the expression mangiare come un lupo, which translates to 'eating like a wolf'.
Examples in context
- Sto mangiando il pane.I am eating the bread.This sentence is useful for seeing sto mangiando used with bread.Tatoeba #12786846 by Guybrush88, translation #12480124 by reubsboyd
- Sto mangiando una mela.I am eating an apple.This sentence is useful for seeing sto mangiando used with an apple.Tatoeba #433542 by tiguliano, translation #29612 by CK
- Sto mangiando del riso.I am eating rice.This sentence is useful for seeing sto mangiando used with rice.Tatoeba #1023432 by Guybrush88, translation #334464 by guyviet
- Sto mangiando.I am eating.
- Mi dispiace, sto già mangiando.I'm sorry, I am already eating.
- Sto mangiando la pizza.I am eating pizza.
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia calls Alessandro while he is having lunch.
- GiuliaAlessandro, ci sei?Alessandro, are you there?
- AlessandroScusa, non posso parlare, sto mangiando.Sorry, I can't talk, I am eating.
- GiuliaTi disturbo?Am I disturbing you?
- AlessandroNo, ti richiamo tra dieci minuti.No, I will call you back in ten minutes.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
