vaniglia
/vaˈniʎ.ʎa/
The Italian word for vanilla is vaniglia.
vaniglia is the noun used to refer to the vanilla flavor itself.
Meaning: flavor (noun)
Which one should you use?
To describe a food item that is flavored with vanilla, such as ice cream or cake, the prepositional phrase alla vaniglia is more common than the adjective vanigliato.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective vanigliato must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: vanigliato (masculine singular), vanigliata (feminine singular), vanigliati (masculine plural) and vanigliate (feminine plural).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /vaˈniʎ.ʎa/.
Did you know?
- While vaniglia describes the flavor, the Italian word for a vanilla bean is bacca di vaniglia, using the word bacca which normally means 'berry'.
- In traditional Italian gelato shops, vaniglia is often distinguished from crema, which is a richer custard flavor typically containing egg yolks.
- While English uses 'vanilla' as a metaphor for something plain or boring, using vaniglia in this way in Italian might not carry the same insulting connotation of being unexciting.
Examples in context
- Lei odiava la vaniglia.She hated vanilla.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for the flavor of vaniglia.Tatoeba #3432859 by Guybrush88, translation #2824746 by mervert1
- Amo il gelato alla vaniglia.I love vanilla ice cream.This sentence is useful for expressing a love for ice cream with the flavor of vaniglia.Tatoeba #4304110 by Guybrush88, translation #1498963 by dracae
- Voglio un gelato alla vaniglia.I want a vanilla ice cream.This sentence is useful for requesting ice cream with the flavor of vaniglia.Tatoeba #1129770 by Guybrush88, translation #1129680 by CM
- Vorrei un gelato alla vaniglia, per favore.I would like a vanilla ice cream, please.
- Ho fatto una torta alla vanillina per il tuo compleanno!I made a cake with vanilla flavoring for your birthday!
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is shopping for ingredients at a supermarket.
- AlessandroChiara, serve la vaniglia per la torta?Chiara, do we need vanilla for the cake?
- ChiaraSì, prendi una boccetta di vaniglia.Yes, get a bottle of vanilla.
- AlessandroVuoi anche la crema alla vaniglia?Do you want the vanilla cream too?
- ChiaraSì, mi piace molto quel gusto.Yes, I like that flavor very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vaniglia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
