tapas
tapas is the Italian word for the English phrase tapas.
The word tapas refers to a variety of small, savory Spanish food items or snacks. While originally served with sherry, these are now often enjoyed with various other alcoholic beverages.
Meaning: variety of Spanish small savoury food items or snacks, originally served with sherry and now often with other alcoholic beverages as well (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Veneto region, the term cicchetti is used to refer to small, savory dishes similar to tapas.
Did you know?
- The word stuzzichini is often used to describe any light snack served before a meal. It comes from the verb 'stuzzicare', which means 'to tease' or 'to provoke', implying the food is meant to tease your appetite.
- In Venice, the equivalent of tapas, known as cicchetti, are traditionally served in small bars called bacari where locals move from one shop to another.
- While tapas is the loanword for Spanish snacks, Italians use the word aperitivo to describe the entire ritual of pre-dinner drinks and snacks, which is a cultural institution rather than just a meal.
Examples in context
- Andiamo in quel bar veneziano, hanno dei buonissimi cicchetti.Let's go to that Venetian bar, they have delicious tapas.
- Quel locale serve ottimi stuzzichini, andiamo a mangiarne qualcuno?That place serves excellent appetizers, shall we have some?
- Queste tapas sono davvero deliziose.These tapas are really delicious.
- Possiamo condividere un piatto di tapas?Can we share a plate of tapas?
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to eat at a Spanish bar.
- AlessandroGiulia, prendiamo delle tapas?Giulia, shall we get some tapas?
- GiuliaSì, Alessandro, mi sembra un'ottima idea.Yes, Alessandro, that sounds like a great idea.
- AlessandroPrendiamo anche un bicchiere di sherry?Shall we also have a glass of sherry?
- GiuliaCertamente, accompagna benissimo le tapas.Certainly, it goes very well with the tapas.
