Italian · Food & Drink
"Sweet" in Italian: dolce
dolce
Sweet in Italian is dolce (DOHL-cheh). Same form for masculine and feminine. Un dolce is also a dessert or sweet.
Tasting cake
Questo tiramisù è molto dolce.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce dolce
Say it
DOHL-cheh
/ˈdol.tʃe/
Dolce stresses DOHL: DOHL-cheh. Soft c before e. Plural dolci is DOHL-chee.
"Sweet" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| dolce | sweet Taste, desserts, soft tone. | Taste, desserts, soft tone. |
| troppo dolce | too sweet Coffee, cake. | Coffee, cake. |
| un dolce | a dessert / sweet Noun after meals. | Noun after meals. |
| dolci | sweets / desserts Plural noun or adjective. | Plural noun or adjective. |
How to use dolce in real life
- 1Tasting cake
Questo tiramisù è molto dolce.
This tiramisu is very sweet.
Dolce.
- 2Coffee order
Il cappuccino è un po' troppo dolce per me.
The cappuccino is a bit too sweet for me.
Troppo dolce.
- 3After dinner
Prendiamo un dolce da condividere?
Shall we get a dessert to share?
Un dolce as noun.
Mistakes English speakers make with dolce
Incorrect: La torta è dolca.
Correct: La torta è dolce.
Dolce does not change for gender.
Incorrect: Il gelato è sweet.
Correct: Il gelato è dolce.
Use dolce, not English sweet.
Good to know
Dolce covers taste and dessert: after Sunday lunch someone always asks e un dolce? Soft speech can be a voce dolce too.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing dessert at a café
ChatPal
Vuoi qualcosa di dolce dopo il pranzo?
Do you want something sweet after lunch?
You
Sì, ma non troppo dolce.
Yes, but not too sweet.
ChatPal
Allora la crostata è dolce ma leggera.
Then the tart is sweet but light.
You
Perfetta, la prendo.
Perfect, I'll take it.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Sweet" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Sweet" in Italian
Does dolce change for gender?
No — dolce for both; plural dolci.
Dessert?
Un dolce / i dolci.
Too sweet?
Troppo dolce.
Sweet tooth talk?
Mi piace il dolce / sono goloso di dolci.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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