dolcetto o scherzetto
The English phrase "trick or treat" is translated into Italian as dolcetto o scherzetto.
dolcetto o scherzetto is used to make a request for candy tied to an unstated, light-hearted threat. An informal variation is Vuoi dolcetti o scherzetti?, which means "Do you want treats or tricks?"
Meaning: request for candy tied to an unstated light-hearted threat (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two diminutive nouns: dolcetto (little sweet or treat) and scherzetto (little joke or prank), joined by o (or).
Did you know?
- While children say dolcetto o scherzetto, the word dolcetto is also the name of a famous light-bodied red wine from the Piedmont region of Italy.
- The word scherzetto is a diminutive of scherzo, a term used in classical music to describe a fast, light-hearted movement or an interlude.
- While dolcetto o scherzetto is used today, Halloween is not a traditional Italian holiday and was only popularized recently through American influence.
Examples in context
- Dolcetto o scherzetto!Trick or treat.This example shows how to say the phrase itself.Tatoeba #1969835 by Guybrush88, translation #1857544 by Spamster
- Molti bambini andranno porta a porta dicendo "Dolcetto o scherzetto?" la notte di Halloween.Many children will be going from door to door saying "Trick or treat?" on Halloween night.This example describes children going door to door saying dolcetto o scherzetto on Halloween night.Tatoeba #2780019 by Guybrush88, translation #1857551 by CK
Example conversation
Chiara knocks on Lorenzo's door while wearing a costume.
- ChiaraCiao Lorenzo! Dolcetto o scherzetto?Hi Lorenzo! Trick or treat?
- LorenzoCiao Chiara! Che bel costume!Hi Chiara! What a great costume!
- ChiaraGrazie! Allora, cosa scegli?Thanks! So, what do you choose?
- LorenzoScegliete i dolcetti! Ecco le caramelle.Choose treats! Here are the candies.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trick or treat” translations and entries dolcetto o scherzetto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dolcetto, dolcetto o scherzetto, o, scherzetto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
