Italian · Food & Drink
"Napkin" in Italian: tovagliolo
il tovagliolo
Napkin in Italian is il tovagliolo (toh-vah-LYOH-loh), masculine. Un tovagliolo di carta is a paper napkin. Mi passi il tovagliolo? means pass me the napkin.
Spaghetti splash
Mi serve un tovagliolo pulito.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce tovagliolo
Say it
toh-vah-LYOH-loh
/to.vaʎˈʎɔ.lo/
Tovagliolo stresses LYOH: toh-vah-LYOH-loh. Soft gli like ly. Five syllables.
"Napkin" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| il tovagliolo | the napkin Cloth or paper. | Cloth or paper. |
| un tovagliolo | a napkin Asking for one. | Asking for one. |
| tovagliolo di carta | paper napkin Casual places. | Casual places. |
| tovagliolo di stoffa | cloth napkin Nicer tables. | Nicer tables. |
How to use tovagliolo in real life
- 1Spaghetti splash
Mi serve un tovagliolo pulito.
I need a clean napkin.
Un tovagliolo.
- 2Setting the table
Piega il tovagliolo accanto al piatto.
Fold the napkin next to the plate.
Il tovagliolo.
- 3Picnic bag
Ho messo i tovaglioli di carta nello zaino.
I put the paper napkins in the backpack.
Plural tovaglioli.
Mistakes English speakers make with tovagliolo
Incorrect: La tovagliolo è sporca.
Correct: Il tovagliolo è sporco.
Tovagliolo is masculine.
Incorrect: Dammi il napkin.
Correct: Dammi il tovagliolo.
Use tovagliolo, not English napkin.
Good to know
Italian homes often use cloth tovaglioli for Sunday lunch and paper ones for pizza nights. At trattorie, asking for un altro tovagliolo after messy spaghetti is totally normal—no one judges the sauce stains.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Messy pizza night
ChatPal
Ti passo un tovagliolo? Hai macchie d'olio.
Shall I pass you a napkin? You've got oil spots.
You
Sì, il mio tovagliolo è già saturo.
Yes, my napkin is already soaked.
ChatPal
Ce n'è un pacco di tovaglioli di carta sul tavolo.
There's a pack of paper napkins on the table.
You
Perfetto, ne prendo due.
Perfect, I'll take two.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Napkin" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Napkin" in Italian
How do you say napkin?
Il tovagliolo.
Paper napkin?
Tovagliolo di carta.
Plural?
I tovaglioli.
Pass the napkin?
Mi passi il tovagliolo?
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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