zucchero a velo
/ˈd͡zuk.ke.ro a ˈve.lo/word by wordmasculine
The Italian phrase for powdered sugar is zucchero a velo.
zucchero a velo refers to very finely ground sugar used in icings, etc.
Meaning: very finely ground sugar used in icings, etc (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means "sugar like a veil," referring to the thin, light layer it creates when dusted over pastries.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun zucchero is masculine, so any accompanying adjectives must also be masculine. When using the definite article 'the' with zucchero a velo, you must use lo because zucchero starts with 'z'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdzuk.ke.ro a ˈve.lo/. The word has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word zucchero actually shares a distant ancestor with the word for 'gravel' in Proto-Indo-European, specifically the root *ḱorkeh₂.
- While English uses 'powdered' to describe the texture, Italian uses velo to describe the visual effect of the sugar once it is applied to a cake.
- Unlike English, which has 'powdered sugar' and 'confectioners' sugar', Italian typically uses zucchero a velo for both meanings.
Examples in context
- È zucchero a velo.It's powdered sugar.This sentence is useful for identifying the substance.Tatoeba #11436299 by Guybrush88, translation #9438504 by Nuel
- Mi piace lo zucchero a velo.I like powdered sugar.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for powdered sugar.Tatoeba #11862184 by Guybrush88, translation #8837724 by CK
- Non mi piace lo zucchero a velo.I don't like powdered sugar.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for powdered sugar.Tatoeba #11862238 by Guybrush88, translation #2283608 by CK
- Mi passi lo zucchero a velo?Could you pass me the powdered sugar?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are decorating a cake in the kitchen.
- LorenzoHai finito con lo zucchero a velo?Are you finished with the powdered sugar?
- ChiaraSì, ho appena finito di spargerlo sulla torta.Yes, I just finished sprinkling it on the cake.
- LorenzoOttimo, la torta è bellissima.Great, the cake is beautiful.
- ChiaraGrazie, Lorenzo, mi piace come appare.Thanks, Lorenzo, I like how it looks.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “powdered sugar” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (zucchero, a, velo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, velo, zucchero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
