Italian · Food & Drink
"Bread" in Italian: pane
il pane
Bread in Italian is il pane (PAH-neh), a masculine noun. A sandwich is un panino, built from the same root. At meals, pane often arrives in a basket before the first course.
At the bakery
Vorrei mezzo chilo di pane, grazie.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce pane
Say it
PAH-neh
/ˈpa.ne/
Pane is PAH-neh with stress on PAH. The final e is a clean eh, not a silent English e. Keep the a open.
"Bread" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| il pane | bread The loaf or bread in general. | The loaf or bread in general. |
| il panino | sandwich roll; sandwich A filled roll, or the roll itself. | A filled roll, or the roll itself. |
| il pane integrale | wholemeal bread On bakery labels and breakfast tables. | On bakery labels and breakfast tables. |
| la bruschetta | toasted bread with toppings A classic starter based on sliced bread. | A classic starter based on sliced bread. |
How to use pane in real life
- 1At the bakery
Vorrei mezzo chilo di pane, grazie.
I'd like half a kilo of bread, thanks.
Bakeries often sell pane by weight.
- 2At the dinner table
Passami il pane, per favore.
Pass me the bread, please.
Il pane keeps the article on the table.
- 3Choosing lunch
A pranzo mangio pane e formaggio.
For lunch I eat bread and cheese.
Pane is the bread itself, not a sandwich.
Mistakes English speakers make with pane
Incorrect: La pane è fresca.
Correct: Il pane è fresco.
Pane is masculine: il pane, fresco.
Incorrect: Voglio un pane con formaggio. (for a sandwich)
Correct: Voglio un panino con formaggio.
A filled sandwich is un panino. Un pane is a loaf or piece of bread.
Good to know
Bread is part of the Italian table rhythm: it accompanies antipasti and sauces, and wasting it is frowned on in many homes. Regional shapes change from north to south, but the everyday word stays il pane.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Buying bread before dinner in Bari
ChatPal
Entra qui: il pane è ancora caldo.
Come in here: the bread is still warm.
You
Perfetto. Prendiamo anche del pane integrale?
Perfect. Shall we get some wholemeal bread too?
ChatPal
Sì. Io amo il pane croccante fuori e morbido dentro.
Yes. I love bread that's crusty outside and soft inside.
You
Allora due tipi di pane, grazie!
Then two kinds of bread, please!
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Bread" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Bread" in Italian
Is pane masculine?
Yes: il pane. Adjectives agree in the masculine: pane fresco, pane buono.
What is the difference between pane and panino?
Pane is bread. Panino is a roll or a sandwich made with a roll.
How do I ask for fresh bread?
Avete pane fresco? or Vorrei del pane fresco works at a bakery.
Do Italians put butter on bread at dinner?
Not usually with the main meal. Bread is more often used to accompany oil, sauces, or antipasti.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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