voce del menu
The English phrase "menu item" is voce del menu in Italian.
The phrase refers to a single dish or drink listed on a food menu. In culinary or administrative contexts, the word voce is the standard way to refer to a single entry or item within a list.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of voce (item or entry), del (of the) and menu (menu).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "menu items", change the noun voce to its plural form voci, resulting in voci del menu.
Did you know?
- The word voce is also the Italian word for 'voice'. When you see it in a list, you are literally looking at the 'voice of the menu'.
- While menu is a loanword from French, it is used universally in Italian. It is a doublet of the word minuto, which means 'small' or 'minute'.
- In a traditional Italian restaurant, you might see a menu fisso, which is a fixed-price menu where the 'menu items' are pre-selected by the chef.
Examples in context
- Può consigliarmi un piatto tradizionale italiano?Can you recommend a traditional Italian dish?
- Vorrei ordinare il piatto principale.I would like to order the main course.
- Prendo il piatto principale.I'll take the main course.
- Questa voce del menu è molto costosa.This menu item is very expensive.
- Non capisco questa voce del menu.I do not understand this menu item.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are looking at a restaurant menu.
- AlessandroSofia, quale voce del menu preferisci?Sofia, which menu item do you prefer?
- SofiaNon so, tutto sembra molto buono.I don't know, everything looks very good.
- AlessandroIo scelgo questa voce del menu qui.I'll choose this menu item here.
- SofiaVa bene, ordiniamo quello.Alright, let's order that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries del, menu, voce, CC BY-SA 4.0.
