panna cotta
/ˈpan.na ˈkɔt.ta/feminine
panna cotta is the Italian phrase for an Italian dessert made from double cream.
Meaning: Italian dessert made from double cream (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means 'cooked cream'. The word panna means 'cream' and cotta is the feminine singular past participle of the verb cuocere, which means 'to cook'.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a feminine noun, panna cotta is preceded by the feminine singular article la when used in a definite sense (e.g., la panna cotta).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈpan.na ˈkɔt.ta/. It consists of 4 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word 'panna' might be related to the Italian word 'panno', meaning 'cloth', because the thick cream covers the milk like a layer of fabric.
- The term cotta is the feminine version of cotto, which also appears in the popular Italian cured meat prosciutto cotto, meaning 'cooked ham'.
- Depending on the linguistic origin, panna might be a relative of the English word 'patina', referring to the thin layer that forms on the surface of milk.
Examples in context
- Mi ha riempito la borraccia di panna cotta.He filled my canteen with panna cotta.This sentence is useful for seeing panna cotta used in a sentence.Tatoeba #3326095 by Guybrush88, translation #11703859 by WM3DAS
- Questa panna cotta è deliziosa.This panna cotta is delicious.
- Vorrei ordinare una panna cotta al caramello.I would like to order a caramel panna cotta.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a restaurant in Rome.
- ChiaraFrancesco, cosa prendi come dolce?Francesco, what are you having for dessert?
- FrancescoPrendo la panna cotta.I'll have the panna cotta.
- ChiaraAnche io ne voglio una.I want one too.
- FrancescoOttima scelta, Chiara!Great choice, Chiara!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “panna cotta” translations and entries panna cotta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cotta, panna, panna cotta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
