frutti di mare
In Italian, seafood is frutti di mare.
The term frutti di mare is used to describe fish, shellfish, seaweed and other edible aquatic life.
Meaning: fish, shellfish, seaweed and other edible aquatic life (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase frutti di mare literally translates to fruits of the sea.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Campania region, the phrase frutti di mare alla napoletana refers to a dish that typically includes various shellfish such as clams, mussels and squid. In Sicily, a famous seafood dish is known as pesce alla ghiotta.
How does it change in a sentence?
While frutti di mare is the standard plural form used to refer to seafood in general, the singular form frutto di mare is rarely used in this context.
Did you know?
- While frutti di mare describes shellfish and crustaceans, the word pesce is used specifically for finned fish. If you order a piatto di frutti di mare, you should not expect to find a fish fillet on the plate.
- Many Italians distinguish between pesce di mare and pesce di fiume. While frutti di mare always refers to the ocean, freshwater seafood is categorized entirely differently.
- In many Italian menus, you will see the heading Crudi di mare instead of frutti di mare to specifically denote a platter of raw seafood like oysters or carpaccio.
Examples in context
- Amo i frutti di mare.I love seafood.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal love for seafood.Tatoeba #13297611 by Guybrush88, translation #10733074 by CK
- Mangia frutti di mare.He eats seafood.This sentence is useful for describing someone who eats seafood.Tatoeba #11474418 by Guybrush88, translation #8593616 by Amastan
- Mi piacciono i frutti di mare.I like seafood.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for seafood.Tatoeba #2433436 by Guybrush88, translation #2245940 by CK
- pasta al pesceSeafood pasta
- insalata di frutti di mareSeafood salad
- Che pesce fresco avete?What fresh fish do you have?
- Mi piacerebbe provare dei frutti di mare freschiI would like to try some fresh seafood
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to order at a seaside restaurant.
- FrancescoSofia, cosa vuoi mangiare?Sofia, what do you want to eat?
- SofiaMi piacerebbe provare i frutti di mare.I would like to try the seafood.
- FrancescoOttima idea, anch'io amo il pesce.Great idea, I love fish too.
- SofiaAllora ordiniamo un piatto misto.Then let's order a mixed platter.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry frutti di mare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
