Italian · Food & Drink
"Sandwich" in Italian: panino / tramezzino
il panino / il tramezzino
Sandwich in Italian is il panino (pah-NEE-noh) for a roll or filled bread, and il tramezzino (trah-meht-TSEE-noh) for a soft triangular tea sandwich. At bars you order both by name.
Quick lunch
Prendo un panino al tonno, grazie.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce panino / tramezzino
Say it
pah-NEE-noh
/paˈni.no/
Panino stresses NEE: pah-NEE-noh. Tramezzino stresses TSEE: trah-meht-TSEE-noh.
"Sandwich" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| il panino | sandwich / roll Everyday filled bread. | Everyday filled bread. |
| il tramezzino | soft sandwich Triangle tea sandwich. | Triangle tea sandwich. |
| un panino al prosciutto | a ham sandwich Common order. | Common order. |
| due tramezzini | two soft sandwiches Plural. | Plural. |
How to use panino / tramezzino in real life
- 1Quick lunch
Prendo un panino al tonno, grazie.
I'll take a tuna sandwich, thanks.
Panino + filling.
- 2Hotel breakfast
Ci sono tramezzini al salmone al buffet.
There are salmon sandwiches at the buffet.
Tramezzini plural.
- 3Picnic plan
Preparo panini e frutta per il treno.
I'm making sandwiches and fruit for the train.
Panini for several.
Mistakes English speakers make with panino / tramezzino
Incorrect: Vorrei un sandwich al formaggio.
Correct: Vorrei un panino al formaggio.
Prefer panino in Italian.
Incorrect: Un panino triangolare soft.
Correct: Un tramezzino.
Soft triangle sandwiches are tramezzini.
Good to know
Standing at the bar with a panino and a caffè is a classic quick lunch. Tramezzini feel more mid-morning or tea-time; panini travel better on trains.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering at a station bar
ChatPal
Prendi un panino o un tramezzino?
Are you getting a panino or a tramezzino?
You
Un panino con la mozzarella, per me.
A mozzarella panino for me.
ChatPal
Io prendo due tramezzini misti.
I'll take two mixed tramezzini.
You
Perfetto, paghiamo insieme dopo.
Perfect, we'll pay together after.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Sandwich" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Sandwich" in Italian
Panino or tramezzino?
Panino is a roll sandwich; tramezzino is the soft triangle type.
How do I order one?
Un panino al… or un tramezzino al… plus the filling.
Plural forms?
Panini and tramezzini.
Is sandwich used in Italian?
People understand it, but panino is more natural.
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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