How to Say "Mussels" in Italian

cozze

The Italian word for mussels is cozze.

cozze refers to edible bivalve mollusks that live in saltwater and are often used in seafood dishes.

Which one should you use?

While cozze refers to mussels, ostriche is the word used for oysters.

In Venice and the surrounding regions, the Venetian dialect term peoci might be used to denote mussels.

The singular form of the word is cozza. Because the word is feminine, it is used with the feminine plural article le.

In Italian slang, the word cozza is sometimes used as a derogatory term to describe a person who is physically unattractive.
In Italy, cozze are often served as cozze alla marinara, where the sauce is based on garlic and parsley rather than the tomato sauce typically associated with 'marinara' in the US.
While 'cozze' is the standard term, you may see 'mitili' on menus in high-end or more formal seafood restaurants. 'Mitili' is the more sophisticated, biological term for the same bivalve mollusks.

Ti piacciono le cozze?
Do you like mussels?
This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes cozze.
Tatoeba #12288223 by Guybrush88, translation #2466802 by Hybrid
Preferite le cozze o le ostriche?
Do you prefer mussels or oysters?
This sentence is useful for asking for a preference between cozze and oysters.
Tatoeba #8405801 by Guybrush88, translation #3774702 by Hybrid
Andiamo al ristorante stasera, voglio gustare delle buone cozze alla marinara.
Let's go to the restaurant tonight, I want to savor some delicious marinara mussels.
Le cozze sono fresche oggi.
The mussels are fresh today.
7 more sentences on Tatoeba

A couple is deciding what to order at a seaside restaurant.

Matteo

Prendo le cozze con il vino bianco.
I will have the mussels with white wine.
Giulia

Anche per me, sono buonissime.
For me too, they are delicious.
Matteo

Vuoi anche un antipasto?
Do you want an appetizer too?
Giulia

No, preferisco solo le cozze.
No, I prefer just the mussels.

Sources

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