cime di rapa
The English phrase 'rabe' is translated into Italian as cime di rapa.
cime di rapa is used to refer to the vegetable commonly known in English as broccoli rabe or rapini. This Italian term is actually the culinary origin of the English term 'broccoli rabe'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'tops of turnip rape', where cime means tops/peaks and rapa refers to a type of turnip/rape plant.
How does it change in a sentence?
cime di rapa is a feminine plural noun phrase.
Did you know?
- In some Italian dialects, the word rapa can be used as a slang term for a person's head, similar to how 'noggin' is used in English.
- Despite being used for a vegetable, the word rapa is also a back-formation of rapina, the Italian word for 'robbery'.
- In Puglia, the region most famous for cime di rapa, the vegetable is often simply called rapa. This regional shorthand differs from the standard Italian phrase taught to learners.
Examples in context
- Nel mio viaggio a Napoli, ho assaggiato gli spaghetti ai friarielli.During my trip to Naples, I tried spaghetti with "friarielli."
- Mi piacciono molto le cime di rapa.I really like turnip tops.
- Vuoi provare le cime di rapa con la pasta?Do you want to try turnip tops with pasta?
- Ho comprato delle cime di rapa fresche al mercato.I bought some fresh turnip tops at the market.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are deciding what to cook for dinner.
- AlessandroCosa cuciniamo per cena oggi?What are we cooking for dinner today?
- ChiaraChe ne dici delle cime di rapa?How about some turnip tops?
- AlessandroOttima idea, le preparo subito.Great idea, I'll prepare them right away.
- ChiaraGrazie, Alessandro, sei gentilissimo.Thanks, Alessandro, you are very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cime di rapa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries di, rapa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
