Italian · Food & Drink
"Meat" in Italian: carne
la carne
Meat in Italian is la carne (lah KAR-neh), feminine. Carne bianca and carne rossa mean white and red meat. Without meat is senza carne. A specific cut usually has its own name (pollo, manzo).
Butcher counter
Vorrei mezzo chilo di carne macinata.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce carne
Say it
lah KAR-neh
/la ˈkar.ne/
Carne is KAR-neh, stress KAR. The r is tapped.
"Meat" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la carne | meat Default noun. | Default noun. |
| carne rossa / bianca | red / white meat Diet talk. | Diet talk. |
| senza carne | without meat Ordering. | Ordering. |
| macelleria | butcher shop Where you buy carne. | Where you buy carne. |
How to use carne in real life
- 1Butcher counter
Vorrei mezzo chilo di carne macinata.
I'd like half a kilo of minced meat.
Carne macinata.
- 2Menu choose
Il secondo è di carne o di pesce?
Is the main course meat or fish?
Di carne.
- 3Guest preference
Lei non mangia carne, vero?
She doesn't eat meat, right?
Mangiare carne.
Mistakes English speakers make with carne
Incorrect: Il carne è dura.
Correct: La carne è dura.
Carne is feminine.
Incorrect: Prendo un meat, grazie.
Correct: Prendo della carne, grazie.
Use carne.
Good to know
Italian menus separate primi and secondi; carne often appears as the secondo with a verdura side. Friday fish traditions still show up in some homes, so asking Mangiate carne? is polite before cooking for guests.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering at a trattoria
ChatPal
Prendi un piatto di carne stasera?
Are you having a meat dish tonight?
You
Sì, la carne ai ferri con contorno.
Yes, grilled meat with a side.
ChatPal
Io evito la carne rossa oggi.
I'm avoiding red meat today.
You
Allora condivido io la carne, tu il pesce.
Then I'll share the meat, you the fish.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Meat" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Meat" in Italian
How do you say beef?
Manzo / carne di manzo.
Vegetarian?
Vegetariano/a; non mangio carne.
Minced meat?
Carne macinata.
Is carne masculine?
No: la carne.
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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