What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of voglio (I want), il (the) and gelato (ice cream).
Which one should you use?
While voglio il gelato is a direct way to state your desire, you can also use Voglio un gelato, per favore to mean "I want an ice cream, please" or Posso avere un gelato? to ask "Can I have an ice cream?" For a more formal approach, you can say Vorrei un gelato, per favore ("I would like an ice cream, please") or Mi piacerebbe avere un gelato ("I would like to have an ice cream").
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In Italian, using the conditional form vorrei instead of the indicative voglio is much more polite and common when ordering in a shop or restaurant. While Voglio un gelato, per favore is an informal way to say "I want an ice cream, please", the most polite options are Vorrei un gelato, per favore or Mi piacerebbe avere un gelato.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word voglio is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb volere (to want). In Italian, you use the definite article il (the) before gelato even when translating the English phrase "I want ice cream" without a specific article.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying voglio gelato. English speakers often omit the article il because it is not required in English, but omitting it in Italian sounds unnatural in this context.
Did you know?
- In some Italian regions, you might see gelato served in a 'brioche' bun, a custom particularly popular in Sicily.
- In Italy, asking for gelato may lead to a debate about the 'artisan' nature of the treat, as true gelato artigianale is made in small batches and contains less air than industrial ice cream.
- The word gelato is actually the past participle of the verb 'gelare', meaning 'to freeze'. It translates literally to 'frozen' or 'frosted'.
Examples in context
- Nel frattempo, voglio il gelato.Meanwhile, I want ice cream.This sentence is useful for showing how to use voglio il gelato in a temporal context.Tatoeba #11352662 by carlosalberto, translation #11352632 by carlosalberto
- Vorrei un gelato alla fragolaI would like a strawberry ice cream
- Voglio un cono al cioccolatoI want a chocolate cone
- Voglio il gelato al cioccolato.I want chocolate ice cream.
- Adesso voglio il gelato.Now I want ice cream.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are walking past a dessert shop.
- LorenzoGuarda quel negozio! Voglio il gelato.Look at that shop! I want ice cream.
- GiuliaAnche a me piace, andiamo!I like it too, let's go!
- LorenzoPrendo un cono grande.I'll get a large cone.
- GiuliaIo prendo una coppetta.I'll have a cup.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gelato, il, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
