voglio la pasta
The English phrase "I want pasta" is expressed in Italian as voglio la pasta.
The phrase is used to express a desire to eat pasta. When discussing specific types of pasta, you might encounter terms like farfalle (butterflies), orecchiette (little ears) or tagliatelle (ribbon pasta).
Which one should you use?
While voglio la pasta translates to "I want the pasta", using the conditional form vorrei la pasta ("I would like the pasta") is much more polite. Using the conditional is the preferred way to order in a restaurant.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Rome, you can ask for spaghetti alla carbonara.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase voglio la pasta uses the definite article la (the) before pasta, which is standard in Italian when expressing a desire for a specific type of food or a meal component.
Did you know?
- While English speakers say 'I want pasta', an Italian might colloquially use the verb andare (to go) to express the same hunger, as in mi va la pasta.
- The word pasta originates from the Ancient Greek word pastá, which referred to a barley porridge or mash.
- If you say voglio la pasta in a restaurant, you are requesting the primo piatto or first course, which is traditionally served and finished before the meat or fish course.
Examples in context
- Scusi, vorrei ordinare la pasta, per favore.Excuse me, I would like to order pasta, please.
- Potrei avere il menù? Vorrei mangiare della pasta.Could I have the menu? I would like to eat some pasta.
- Dai, voglio della pasta, sono affamato!Come on, I want some pasta, I'm hungry!
- Oggi mi serve un piatto di pasta, ne ho proprio voglia!Today I need a plate of pasta, I'm really craving it!
- Voglio la pasta al pomodoro.I want pasta with tomato sauce.
- Non ho fame, ma voglio la pasta.I am not hungry, but I want pasta.
- Voglio la pasta, non la pizza.I want pasta, not pizza.
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to order for dinner at home.
- GiuliaFrancesco, cosa ordiniamo stasera?Francesco, what are we ordering tonight?
- FrancescoPenso che prenderò una pizza.I think I will get a pizza.
- GiuliaIo invece voglio la pasta.As for me, I want pasta.
- FrancescoVa bene, ordiniamo due cose diverse.Alright, let's order two different things.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, pasta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
