sugo per la pasta
/ˈsu.ɡo per la ˈpas.ta/word by word
The English phrase "pasta sauce" is sugo per la pasta in Italian.
sugo per la pasta refers to a seasoned liquid or paste used as a topping for pasta dishes. In many contexts, such as when cooking or ordering at a restaurant, Italians will simply use the shorter form sugo to mean pasta sauce.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of sugo (sauce), per (for) and la pasta (the pasta).
Which one should you use?
While sugo specifically refers to a liquid or paste-based sauce, the word condimento is a broader term used for any seasoning or dressing applied to food.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In southern Italian regions like Naples and Calabria, pasta sauce is often called salsa. In Bologna, the specific Bolognese sauce is commonly referred to as ragù alla Bolognese.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsu.ɡo per la ˈpas.ta/. The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word sugo is a doublet of succo, meaning 'juice'. Both words originate from the same Latin root but evolved to describe different types of liquids.
- In traditional Italian cooking, the sauce is not stirred into the pasta in the pan, but is often ladled on top of the plated pasta.
- In Italy, asking for sugo in a restaurant may be interpreted as asking for a plain tomato sauce, whereas ragù specifically implies a meat-based sauce.
Examples in context
- Mi piacerebbe un piatto di pasta con sugo di pomodoro, per favore.I would like a plate of pasta with tomato sauce, please.
- Hai provato quel sugo? È eccezionale!Have you tried that sauce? It's exceptional!
- La nonna prepara un ragù delizioso!Grandma makes a delicious pasta sauce!
- Vorrei un piatto di pasta con sugo di pomodoro.I would like a plate of pasta with tomato sauce.
- Mi piace molto questo sugo per la pasta.I really like this pasta sauce.
- Hai preparato il sugo per la pasta oggi?Did you prepare the pasta sauce today?
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are cooking dinner together.
- ChiaraFrancesco, dove hai messo il sugo per la pasta?Francesco, where did you put the pasta sauce?
- FrancescoÈ nel frigorifero, Chiara.It is in the refrigerator, Chiara.
- ChiaraGrazie, lo scaldo subito.Thanks, I will heat it up right away.
- FrancescoOttimo, io scolo l'acqua.Great, I will drain the water.
