cubetto di ghiaccio
The English phrase "ice cube" is translated into Italian as cubetto di ghiaccio.
The phrase refers to a small piece of frozen water used to cool drinks.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cubetto (the diminutive of cube, meaning little cube) and di ghiaccio (of ice).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the phrase is cubetti di ghiaccio, which is formed by changing the diminutive noun cubetto to the plural cubetti.
Did you know?
- The term ghiaccio is also used in Italian to describe a state of intense fear or shock, such as restare di ghiaccio, meaning to be frozen with horror.
- The word ghiaccio comes from the Latin glaciēs, which is also the root of the English word 'glacier'.
- While the full phrase is cubetto di ghiaccio, an Italian speaker will frequently omit the word for 'cube' entirely and simply ask for ghiaccio to refer to the cubes in a drink.
Examples in context
- Questo è un cubetto di ghiaccio.This is an ice cube.Tatoeba #3476062 by Guybrush88, translation #681181 by Source_VOA
- Un cubetto di ghiaccio si è già sciolto.An ice cube has already melted.Tatoeba #12479330 by Guybrush88, translation #12479240 by Miktsoanit
- Il cubetto di ghiaccio si è già sciolto.The ice cube has already melted.Tatoeba #12479331 by Guybrush88, translation #12479239 by Miktsoanit
- Vorrei un cubetto di ghiaccio, per favore.I would like an ice cube, please.
- Vorrei due cubetti di ghiaccio, per favoreI would like two ice cubes, please.
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are having cold drinks in the kitchen.
- GiuliaAlessandro, vuoi un cubetto di ghiaccio per il tuo succo?Alessandro, do you want an ice cube for your juice?
- AlessandroSì, grazie, Giulia. È molto caldo oggi.Yes, thanks, Giulia. It is very hot today.
- GiuliaNe prendo uno anche io.I'll take one too.
- AlessandroOttima idea, aiuta a rinfrescare la bibita.Great idea, it helps to cool down the drink.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cubetto di ghiaccio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries di, ghiaccio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
