patatine
In Italian, the English phrase "potato chips" is translated as patatine.
patatine refers to thin slices of potato that have been deep-fried or baked until crunchy. In a snack context, it is the most common way to refer to packaged potato chips. You can use specific phrases to describe flavors, such as patatine salate for salted potato chips or patatine piccanti for spicy potato chips.
What does it mean word for word?
The word patatine is the diminutive form of patate (potatoes), so it literally means "little potatoes".
Did you know?
- In Italy, patatine can refer to both thin potato chips and French fries. To be specific about fries, people often say patatine fritte, which means 'fried little potatoes'.
- If you want to specify kettle-cooked chips, Italians often use the phrase 'patatine artigianali' to describe a more traditional or handmade style.
- Italians often pair patatine with a dip of maionese or ketchup, but unlike in the US, these are often served in small separate bowls rather than dispensed from a pump.
Examples in context
- Tom ama le patatine fritte.Tom loves potato chips.This sentence shows how to express a preference for patatine.Tatoeba #13454892 by Guybrush88, translation #6710187 by Eccles17
- Le patatine non ti fanno bene.Potato chips are not good for you.This sentence is useful for stating that patatine are not good for you.Tatoeba #4465403 by Guybrush88, translation #630952 by ulyssemc1
- Mangiai delle patatine fritte.I ate potato chips.This sentence illustrates how to say that you ate patatine.Tatoeba #13454894 by Guybrush88, translation #5702332 by abyssalalice
- Puoi comprare un pacchetto di patatine?Can you buy a bag of potato chips?
- Le patatine piccanti sono le mie preferite.Spicy potato chips are my favorites.
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are deciding on snacks for a movie.
- AlessandroVuoi mangiare delle patatine?Do you want to eat some potato chips?
- ChiaraSì, sono perfetta l'idea, Alessandro.Yes, that's a perfect idea, Alessandro.
- AlessandroPreferisci quelle al gusto di formaggio?Do you prefer the cheese flavored ones?
- ChiaraNo, preferisco le patatine classiche.No, I prefer classic potato chips.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry patatine, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
