Italian · Food & Drink
"Cheese" in Italian: formaggio
il formaggio
Cheese in Italian is il formaggio (for-MAHD-joh), a masculine noun. Plural is i formaggi when you mean kinds of cheese. At a deli you ask for un etto di formaggio or name the type: parmigiano, pecorino.
At the deli counter
Vorrei due etti di formaggio.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce formaggio
Say it
for-MAHD-joh
/forˈmad.dʒo/
Formaggio stresses MAHD: for-MAHD-joh. Soft gg before i. Final o stays clear.
"Cheese" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| il formaggio | cheese Default masculine noun. | Default masculine noun. |
| i formaggi | cheeses; cheese types Several varieties. | Several varieties. |
| formaggio fresco / stagionato | fresh / aged cheese Texture and aging labels. | Texture and aging labels. |
| senza formaggio | without cheese Pizza and pasta orders. | Pizza and pasta orders. |
How to use formaggio in real life
- 1At the deli counter
Vorrei due etti di formaggio.
I'd like two hundred grams of cheese.
Etto = 100 grams.
- 2Pizza order
Una margherita senza formaggio extra.
A margherita without extra cheese.
Formaggio in a topping note.
- 3Picnic packing
Metto pane, frutta e formaggio.
I'm packing bread, fruit, and cheese.
Bare formaggio in a list.
Mistakes English speakers make with formaggio
Incorrect: La formaggio è buono.
Correct: Il formaggio è buono.
Formaggio is masculine: il formaggio.
Incorrect: Compro del cheese italiano.
Correct: Compro del formaggio italiano.
Use formaggio, not English cheese.
Good to know
Regional cheeses are identity markers: pecorino in the centre and south, fontina in the Alps, mozzarella for the south. Asking where a formaggio is from is welcome small talk at a market stall.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Building a simple aperitivo plate
ChatPal
Prendiamo un po' di formaggio?
Shall we get a bit of cheese?
You
Sì. Un formaggio fresco e uno stagionato.
Yes. One fresh cheese and one aged.
ChatPal
Ok. Il formaggio sta bene col miele.
Ok. Cheese goes well with honey.
You
Perfetto. Taglio io il formaggio a casa.
Perfect. I'll cut the cheese at home.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Cheese" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Cheese" in Italian
Is formaggio masculine?
Yes: il formaggio, un formaggio, i formaggi.
How do I order by weight?
Un etto di formaggio (100 g) or due etti.
What is formaggio stagionato?
Aged cheese, firmer and stronger than formaggio fresco.
How do I pronounce formaggio?
for-MAHD-joh, stress on MAHD.
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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