mancia
/ˈman.t͡ʃa/
The English word "tipping" can be translated into Italian as mancia.
mancia refers to the small amount of extra money given to a service worker as a reward for their service. In modern everyday Italian, this word is used almost exclusively as a noun. To express the action of tipping, Italians typically use the verb lasciare (to leave) followed by una mancia (a tip).
How does it change in a sentence?
mancia is a feminine noun. Its plural form is mance.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈman.tʃa/.
Did you know?
- The word mancia likely comes from the Old French word manche, meaning 'sleeve'.
- In Italy, you may see a coperto charge on your bill, which is a fixed cover charge for bread and table settings. This is separate from a mancia and is a standard fee rather than a reward for service.
- The concept of mancia can extend beyond money to include small gifts or favors given to someone to ensure a task is done quickly or efficiently.
Examples in context
- La mancia è inclusa nel conto?Is the tip included in the bill?
- Ho lasciato una mancia al cameriere.I left a tip for the waiter.
- Non serve lasciare la mancia qui.There is no need to leave a tip here.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are at a cafe in Rome.
- AlessandroVuoi lasciare la mancia?Do you want to leave a tip?
- SofiaSì, lasciamo una piccola mancia.Yes, let's leave a small tip.
- AlessandroVa bene, lo faccio io.Alright, I will do it.
- SofiaGrazie, sei molto gentile.Thank you, you are very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mancia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mancia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
