Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| panino | /paˈni.no/ | masculine |
| tramezzino | /tra.medˈd͡zi.no/ | masculine |
In Italy, panino is the standard term for a sandwich served in a bakery or cafe using a roll.
Which one should you use?
Use panino for a sandwich made with a crusty roll or a baguette, often toasted or filled with meats and cheeses. Use tramezzino for a sandwich made with soft, crustless white bread, typically filled with creamy ingredients like tuna and mayo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
A specialty known as Panino con la Porchetta is a delicacy from central Italy, such as Lazio or Tuscany, featuring roast pork called porchetta inside a bread roll. In Florence or Tuscany, you can find Panino al Lampredotto, which is a savory sandwich filled with the fourth stomach of a cow.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of panino is panini. The plural of tramezzino is tramezzini.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /paˈni.no/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word tramezzino was intentionally created as an 'Italian' alternative to the English 'sandwich' during the Fascist era to promote national identity.
- While English speakers use 'panini' as a singular word for a pressed sandwich, in Italian panini is simply the plural form of panino.
- A panino is typically eaten as a quick lunch or a snack on the go, while a tramezzino is often associated with aperitifs and cocktail parties.
Examples in context
- Potresti farmi un panino?Could you make me a sandwich?This sentence shows how to ask someone to make a panino.Tatoeba #4654473 by izzyisozaki, translation #2622584 by temlat
- Lasciami finire il panino.Let me finish eating my sandwich.This sentence illustrates finishing the eating of a panino.Tatoeba #1543234 by Guybrush88, translation #954127 by CK
- Loro mangiano un tramezzino.They are eating a sandwich.This sentence shows people eating a tramezzino.Tatoeba #470030 by Guybrush88, translation #463148 by lukaszpp
- Vorrei ordinare un tramezzino, per favore.I would like to order a sandwich, please.
- Potrei avere un panino, per cortesia?Could I have a sandwich, please?
- Voglio un panino, grazie!I want a sandwich, thank you!
- Dammi un tramezzino, per favore!Give me a sandwich, please!
- Vorrei un panino senza pomodoro, per favore.I would like a sandwich without tomato, please.
- Che panino mi consiglia?Which sandwich do you recommend?
- Per cortesia, posso avere un panino?Please, can I have a sandwich?
- Grazie mille per il delizioso panino!Thank you so much for the delicious sandwich!
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Martina are having lunch together in a park.
- MatteoHai portato il tuo panino?Did you bring your sandwich?
- MartinaSì, ho un panino con il formaggio.Yes, I have a cheese sandwich.
- MatteoPosso assaggiare il tuo panino?Can I taste your sandwich?
- MartinaCerto, prendine un pezzo!Of course, take a piece!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sandwich” translations and entries panino, tramezzino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries panino, tramezzino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
