conchiglie
The English phrase pasta shells is translated into Italian as conchiglie.
conchiglie refers to a specific type of pasta shaped like small seashells.
What does it mean word for word?
The word conchiglie literally means shells.
How does it change in a sentence?
conchiglia is the singular form meaning shell, while conchiglie is the plural form used to refer to the pasta type.
Did you know?
- The word conchiglia shares a root with the English word 'conch', but in Italian, it is the general term for any seashell, not just the large spiral variety.
- While many people think of shells as a single category, in Italy, the suffix changes to conchiglioni specifically to signal that the pasta is large enough to be stuffed and baked.
- While conchiglie refers to the shell shape, Italians may use the word rigate to describe the ridges on the shell, which are engineered to help the sauce cling to the pasta.
Examples in context
- Ciao amici, ho preparato delle deliziose conchigliette al sugo!Hi friends, I've made some delicious pasta shells in tomato sauce!
- Gentili ospiti, stasera serviremo un piatto di conchiglie con pesto e pomodori secchi.Dear guests, tonight we will be serving a dish of pasta shells with pesto and sundried tomatoes.
- Chi vuole assaggiare le lumachine al forno con formaggio fuso?Who wants to try the baked pasta shells with melted cheese?
- Preferisco le conchiglie con il pesto.I prefer pasta shells with pesto.
- Ho comprato un pacco di conchiglie.I bought a pack of pasta shells.
- Le conchiglie sono ottime con il sugo di pomodoro.Pasta shells are great with tomato sauce.
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are deciding what to cook for dinner.
- MartinaCosa cuciniamo stasera, Alessandro?What are we cooking tonight, Alessandro?
- AlessandroPreparo le conchiglie con la crema di formaggio.I'll make pasta shells with cheese cream.
- MartinaSembra buonissimo, grazie!That sounds delicious, thanks!
- AlessandroDi nulla, Martina.You're welcome, Martina.
