olive
The English phrase "olives" is olive in Italian.
The word refers to the small oval fruits with a stone that are often pickled and eaten.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the noun is l'oliva for "the olive", while the plural form is le olive for "the olives". Using the definite article le before olive makes it clear you are referring to olives in a general sense.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use oliva as a plural. However, the correct plural form is olive.
Did you know?
- Italian has a specific term, olive ascolane, for a famous regional specialty of fried stuffed olives from the city of Ascoli Piceno.
- In Italy, the peace branch is called ramo d'ulivo, using the root of olive to symbolize harmony and the end of conflict.
- In Italian, the word olive is used for both the fruit and the tree, although olivo is used specifically for the tree in botanical contexts.
Examples in context
- Tom odia le olive.Tom hates olives.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for olive.Tatoeba #6550847 by Guybrush88, translation #2244679 by CK
- Ti piacciono le olive?Do you like olives?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes olive.Tatoeba #8928903 by Guybrush88, translation #8928896 by sundown
- Gli piacciono le olive.He likes olives.This sentence is useful for expressing a liking for olive.Tatoeba #8489369 by Guybrush88, translation #8479267 by CH
- Mi piacciono le oliveI like olives
- Aggiungi le olive alla pastaAdd olives to the pasta
- Le olive conferiscono un sapore unicoOlives give a unique flavor
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are at a deli counter.
- MatteoSofia, prendiamo delle olive?Sofia, shall we get some olives?
- SofiaSì, mi piacciono molto le olive.Yes, I really like olives.
- MatteoVuoi quelle grandi o quelle piccole?Do you want the large ones or the small ones?
- SofiaPrendo quelle piccole, grazie Matteo.I'll take the small ones, thanks Matteo.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
