Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pezzo | /ˈpɛt.t͡so/ /ˈpet.t͡so/ |
masculine |
| porzione | /porˈt͡sjo.ne/ | feminine |
| parte | /ˈpar.te/ | feminine |
In Italian, the word you choose for 'piece' depends on whether you are talking about a physical object, a portion of food or an abstract component. Use pezzo for a discrete, physical fragment or an object that has been broken or cut from a larger whole, like a piece of paper. Use porzione when referring to a serving or a specific amount of food intended for consumption. Use parte when referring to an abstract component of a whole or a structural part of a system.
Which one should you use?
pezzo is used for physical fragments or objects like wood or paper. porzione refers specifically to a portion or serving of food. parte is used for abstract or structural components rather than physical fragments.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun pezzo becomes pezzi in the plural. The feminine nouns porzione and parte become porzioni and parti respectively in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of pezzo is /ˈpɛt.tso/.
Did you know?
- The word pezzo shares an ancient ancestor with the Latin word for 'pitch' or 'tar', specifically pix.
- You can use the phrase un pezzo di to describe someone who is a 'piece of work' or an extraordinary person, often with an ironic tone.
- When referring to a 'piece of advice', Italians use the word consiglio, completely bypassing any word that translates to 'piece'.
Examples in context
- È un pezzo di torta.It's a piece of cake.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of pezzo with food.Tatoeba #1107183 by Guybrush88, translation #21259 by Eldad
- Ecco un pezzo di carta.Here's a piece of paper.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of pezzo with paper.Tatoeba #5542669 by Guybrush88, translation #3735596 by CK
- Dammi un pezzo di gesso.Give me a piece of chalk.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of pezzo with chalk.Tatoeba #717838 by Guybrush88, translation #40112 by CK
- Il pezzo è molto prezioso.The piece is very valuable.
- Un pezzo di tortaA piece of cake
- Un pezzo di storiaA piece of history
- Hai letto il brano poetico?Have you read the poetic piece?
- Un brano letterarioA literary piece
- Un brano musicaleA musical piece
- Mangiamo un pezzetto di pizza!Let's have a little piece of pizza!
- Un pezzetto di formaggioA small piece of cheese
- Un pezzetto di paneA little piece of bread
- 197 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are assembling a puzzle together.
- MatteoManca un pezzo del puzzle.A piece of the puzzle is missing.
- SofiaGuarda, Sofia lo ha trovato!Look, Sofia found it!
- MatteoDove si mette questo pezzo?Where does this piece go?
- SofiaVa proprio qui in basso.It goes right here at the bottom.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “piece” translations and entries pezzo, porzione, parte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries parte, pezzo, porzione, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
