ora di pranzo
/ˈo.ra di ˈpran.d͡zo/word by wordfeminine
The Italian phrase for 'lunchtime' is ora di pranzo.
ora di pranzo refers to the specific time or hour designated for eating lunch.
Meaning: time or hour for lunch (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ora (hour), di (of) and pranzo (lunch).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because ora is a feminine noun starting with a vowel, the definite article la elides to l’ when used in the singular, resulting in l’ora di pranzo.
How do you pronounce it?
It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- In many Italian towns, l’ora di pranzo is so culturally significant that small shops and offices completely close their doors for several hours, a practice known as la pausa pranzo.
- The word ora descends from the Latin hōra, which was borrowed from the Ancient Greek word hṓra meaning 'hour'.
- In some regional contexts, the meal at ora di pranzo is not just food but a social ritual called convivialità, for which there is no single English word.
Examples in context
- È quasi ora di pranzo.It's almost lunchtime.This sentence is useful for noting that it is almost ora di pranzo.Tatoeba #5007559 by Guybrush88, translation #4494621 by CK
- Non è ancora ora di pranzo.It's not lunchtime yet.This sentence is useful for noting that it is not yet ora di pranzo.Tatoeba #3875860 by Guybrush88, translation #3199036 by CK
- Il negozio è aperto anche all'ora di pranzo.The shop's open at lunchtime as well.This sentence is useful for noting that a shop is open during ora di pranzo.Tatoeba #14008469 by jacopofar, translation #8883919 by sundown
- Che ne dici di incontrarci all'ora di pranzo?What do you think about meeting at lunchtime?
- Ho preso una pausa pranzo di un'ora oggiI took a one-hour lunch break today.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are working in an office.
- GiuliaChe ora è? È già ora di pranzo.What time is it? It is already lunchtime.
- MatteoSì, ho molta fame, Matteo.Yes, I am very hungry, Matteo.
- GiuliaAndiamo a mangiare insieme a quest'ora di pranzo?Shall we go eat together at this lunchtime?
- MatteoCertamente, andiamo subito!Of course, let's go right now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lunchtime” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ora, di, pranzo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries di, ora, pranzo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
