segale
/ˈse.ɡa.le/feminine
Rye in Italian is segale.
The word segale refers to the grass Secale cereale or its grains used as food.
Meaning: the grass Secale cereale or its grains as food (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
segale is a feminine noun. To say 'rye bread', use the phrase pane di segale.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈse.ɡa.le/.
Did you know?
- In Italian folk tradition, segale was sometimes associated with 'Saint Anthony's Fire', an illness caused by eating rye contaminated with a specific fungus that leads to hallucinations.
- While segale is the technical name, traditional rye breads in some regions are simply called pane nero, meaning 'black bread', to contrast them with wheat-based pane bianco.
- Historically, products made with segale were linked to the concept of povertà because the crop was seen as a rustic alternative to the high-status wheat.
Examples in context
- Comprò del pane di segale.She bought some rye bread.This sentence is useful for learning how to say she bought some rye bread with segale.Tatoeba #11095965 by Guybrush88, translation #2300577 by Hybrid
- Tom comprò del pane di segale.Tom bought rye bread.This sentence is useful for learning how to say Tom bought rye bread with segale.Tatoeba #11095805 by Guybrush88, translation #7116880 by CM
- Quanto costa la farina di segale?How much is rye flour?This sentence is useful for asking the cost of rye flour with segale.Tatoeba #11289144 by Guybrush88, translation #2649878 by sharptoothed
- Vorrei un panino al pane di segale, per favore.I would like a sandwich with rye bread, please.
- Mi piace molto il pane di segale, è più saporito.I really like rye bread, it's more flavorful.
- Mamma usa sempre la farina di segale per fare il pane.Mom always uses rye flour to make bread.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are at a bakery.
- GiuliaQuale pane preferisci, Matteo?Which bread do you prefer, Matteo?
- MatteoPreferisco quello di segale.I prefer the rye one.
- GiuliaAnche a me piace la segale.I like rye too.
- MatteoPrendiamone due pagnotte allora.Let's get two loaves then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rye” translations and entries segale, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
