boccone
/bokˈko.ne/masculine
The English phrase mouthful is translated into Italian as boccone. Wiktionary also lists boccata and morso.
Meaning: amount that will fit in a mouth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| boccone | /bokˈko.ne/ | masculine |
| boccata | /bokˈka.ta/ | feminine |
| morso | /ˈmɔr.so/ | masculine |
The phrase un boccone is used to describe the physical amount of food one can hold in their mouth at once.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on what is being held in the mouth. Use boccone specifically for a mouthful of solid food. Use boccata for a mouthful of something inhaled or swallowed, such as a breath of air or a gulp of water.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /bokˈko.ne/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The term boccone appears in the common idiom rimanere col boccone in gola, which describes being stunned or silenced by a shock.
- The word boccone contains the suffix -one, which in Italian is an augmentative that makes things bigger. This literally transforms the word 'mouth' into a 'big mouth' to describe the portion.
- In Italian, the word morso is also used to describe the 'bite' of the cold, such as il morso del gelo.
Examples in context
- La pizza era così buona che l'ho mangiata tutta in un solo boccone!The pizza was so delicious that I ate it all in one mouthful!
- Prendere un boccone.To take a mouthful.
- È un boccone troppo grande.It is too big a mouthful.
- Prendi un boccone più piccolo.Take a smaller mouthful.
- Non riesco a deglutire questo boccone.I cannot swallow this mouthful.
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are eating a large sandwich at home.
- MartinaQuesto panino è enorme!This sandwich is huge!
- AlessandroFai attenzione, è un boccone molto grande.Be careful, it is a very large mouthful.
- MartinaHai ragione, Alessandro.You are right, Alessandro.
- AlessandroMangia con calma.Eat slowly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mouthful” translations and entries boccone, boccata, morso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boccata, boccone, morso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
