enoteca
The English phrase 'wine bar' is translated into Italian as enoteca.
An enoteca is a drinking establishment where only wine is served. It is a place where you can typically taste various wines, often accompanied by small plates of food like cheeses or cured meats. While an enoteca focuses on wine, it is often distinguished from a bar or ristorante by its specialized selection and more intimate atmosphere.
Meaning: drinking establishment where only wine is served (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term Osteria is used in some areas to describe a traditional Italian tavern that also serves wine.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of enoteca is enoteche.
Did you know?
- The suffix -teca in enoteca is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'library' or 'biblioteca'. It implies that the establishment is not just a bar, but a specialized collection or 'library' of wines.
- In Italy, the word bar almost always refers to a place for coffee and breakfast, whereas in English it usually implies alcohol. To avoid confusion, Italians use enoteca to specify a place dedicated to wine.
- While an enoteca is a specialized wine establishment, the related osteria historically served as a place for travelers to find both wine and a bed for the night.
Examples in context
- Un'enoteca è un wine bar.An enoteca is a wine bar.This sentence is useful for defining the term enoteca.Tatoeba #12822634 by Guybrush88, translation #7045209 by Hybrid
- L'enoteca è aperta fino a mezzanotte.The wine bar is open until midnight.
Example conversation
Martina and Matteo are walking through the city center in the evening.
- MartinaMatteo, conosci un'enoteca carina in questa zona?Matteo, do you know a nice wine bar in this area?
- MatteoSì, c'è un'enoteca molto tranquilla poco distante.Yes, there is a very quiet wine bar not far from here.
- MartinaPerfetto, ci andiamo subito!Perfect, let's go there right now!
- MatteoOttima idea, mi va proprio un bicchiere di vino.Great idea, I really feel like a glass of wine.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries enoteca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
