vorrei un bicchiere di vino
In Italian, "I would like a glass of wine" is said as vorrei un bicchiere di vino.
This phrase is a polite way to request a serving of wine, typically used when ordering at a restaurant or bar. You can further specify your request by adding descriptors for the type of wine, such as rosso (red), bianco (white), secco (dry) or dolce (sweet). For example, you can say Mi piacerebbe un bicchiere di [wine name], per favore to request a specific wine.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of vorrei (I would like), un bicchiere (a glass), di (of) and vino (wine).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The standard polite way to order is vorrei un bicchiere di vino. For a more formal tone, you can use Potrei avere un bicchiere di vino, per cortesia? (Could I have a glass of wine, please?). If you are in a more informal setting, you might say Posso prendere un bicchiere di vino? (Can I get a glass of wine?).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb vorrei is the conditional form of volere (to want), which makes the request polite.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the present tense voglio (I want) to order, as using the conditional vorrei is the standard polite way to make a request in a restaurant.
Did you know?
- If you want to sound more sophisticated, you can replace un bicchiere with un calice if you are ordering a large, stemmed wine glass.
- The English word 'beaker' shares a common ancestor with the Italian bicchiere, the word used for 'glass' in your request.
- In many Italian bars, ordering un bicchiere di vino may result in receiving a very small glass, as a standard pour is often smaller than in English-speaking countries.
Examples in context
- Vorrei un bicchiere di vino rosso, per favore.I would like a glass of red wine, please.
- Vorrei un bicchiere di vino bianco alla carta.I would like a glass of white wine from the list.
- Per cena, vorrei un bicchiere di vino rosso.For dinner, I would like a glass of red wine.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are at a wine bar.
- LorenzoCiao Martina, vorrei un bicchiere di vino.Hi Martina, I would like a glass of wine.
- MartinaAnche io, prendiamo un rosso?Me too, shall we have a red?
- LorenzoSì, va bene per me.Yes, that works for me.
- MartinaPerfetto, chiamo il cameriere.Perfect, I'll call the waiter.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bicchiere, di, un, vino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
