Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| da asporto | /da asˈpɔr.to/ |
| da portare via | /da porˈta.re ˈvi.a/ (word by word) |
da asporto is used to describe a meal bought to be eaten elsewhere. You will most frequently see this phrase on signs in shop windows or on menus to indicate that an establishment offers takeaway service.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase da asporto is composed of the preposition da (for/to) and the noun asporto (the act of carrying away/removal).
Which one should you use?
da asporto is more commonly used as a fixed adjective for businesses, such as pizza da asporto. In contrast, da portare via is a more literal verbal phrase used to describe the action of taking food away. You may also occasionally hear per asporto used in similar contexts to mean "for takeaway".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Rome, people often use the phrase da portare via to order takeaway.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Italian, da asporto functions as an adjective or an adverbial phrase describing the type of food or service, rather than a standalone noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of da asporto is /da asˈpɔr.to/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- Despite the availability of da asporto, many traditional Italian eateries still prefer customers to eat in, and some may be surprised if you ask for a meal da portare via during peak lunch hours.
- The word asporto is not limited to food and is frequently used in legal settings to describe the seizure or removal of property.
- The word asporto comes from the same root as the English word 'export', as both share the Latin origin of carrying something across or out of a place.
Examples in context
- Potrei avere il caffè da portare via, per favore?Could I have the coffee to-go, please?
- Mi dà la pasta da asporto, per favorePlease give me the pasta to-go.
- Posso avere la focaccia da portar via, grazieCan I have the focaccia to-go, please?
- Vorrei la pizza da portare via, per favoreI would like the pizza to-go, please.
- C'è un ristorante di cibo da asporto qui vicino?Is there a takeaway food restaurant nearby?
- Vogliamo ordinare qualcosa da asporto stasera?Do we want to order a takeaway tonight?
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are deciding what to eat for dinner at home.
- MartinaNon ho voglia di cucinare stasera.I don't feel like cooking tonight.
- FrancescoAllora prendiamo del cibo da asporto?Shall we get some takeaway then?
- MartinaSì, ottima idea, Francesco.Yes, great idea, Francesco.
- FrancescoTi va del sushi o della pizza?Do you want sushi or pizza?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “takeaway” translations and entries da asporto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (da, portare, via) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries da, portare, via, CC BY-SA 4.0.
