mortadella
The Italian word for sausage is mortadella.
In Italy, mortadella refers specifically to the large, cooked pork sausage from Bologna, often characterized by the presence of pistachios or peppercorns.
Meaning: sausage (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the dialect of Emilia-Romagna, Mortatèla is a regional variation used to refer to mortadella.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of mortadella is mortadelle.
Did you know?
- The word mortadella shares a linguistic root with the English word 'myrtle', connecting the Italian delicacy to a Mediterranean shrub.
- In Italy, calling any kind of cured sausage mortadella would be considered a mistake, as the term is legally protected and refers only to the specific variety from Bologna.
- The word mortadella actually contains a diminutive suffix, implying it was once viewed as a 'little' version of a larger seasoned meat preparation.
Examples in context
- Vorrei un panino con mortadella, per favoreI would like a sandwich with mortadella, please.
- Mi dia 100 grammi di mortadellaGive me 100 grams of mortadella.
- Vorrei un piatto di pasta alla mortadella, per cortesiaI would like a plate of mortadella pasta, please.
- Vorrei della mortadella, per favore.I would like some mortadella, please.
- Questa mortadella è molto saporita.This mortadella is very flavorful.
- Ho comprato un chilo di mortadella.I bought a kilo of mortadella.
Example conversation
Chiara and Matteo are preparing a snack together.
- ChiaraMatteo, cosa mettiamo nel panino?Matteo, what should we put in the sandwich?
- MatteoPossiamo usare la mortadella.We can use the mortadella.
- ChiaraOttima idea, mi piace molto.Great idea, I like it a lot.
- MatteoAllora preparo subito le fette.Then I'll prepare the slices right away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mortadella, CC BY-SA 4.0.
