Which Italian phrases matter most here?

“Questo pesce è di oggi?” (Is this fish from today); “Che cosa mi consiglia per stasera?” (What do you recommend for tonight); “Può pulirmi il pesce?” (Could you clean the fish for me). The full list is above.

Can I hear how they sound?

Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.

How can I practise this conversation?

Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Italy. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Italian phrases for the butcher's and fishmonger's counter in Italy

At the counter, say what you want and how you want it: “Questo pesce è di oggi?”, “Può pulirmi il pesce?”, “Può darmi un pezzo da quattro etti circa?”. Ask “Che cosa mi consiglia per stasera?” if you need ideas. Meat and fish are weighed in etti (hundreds of grams) or chili.

Try it · about two minutes

At the counter you ask what’s fresh today and how they can cut or clean it for you.

Sound on: the fishmonger and butcher speaks Italian. You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

How does the conversation usually go?

Fishmonger and butcher
Che cosa desidera?
What would you like?
You
Questo pesce è di oggi?
Is this fish from today?
Fishmonger and butcher
Le consiglio l’orata: è arrivata stamattina.
I recommend the sea bream: it came in this morning.
You
Può pulirmi il pesce?
Could you clean the fish for me?
Fishmonger and butcher
Desidera altro?
Would you like anything else?
You
Come si cucina questo?
How do you cook this?
Next door, at the butcher’s counter, you want a piece of meat for a slow-cooked dish.
You
Mi serve un taglio adatto alla cottura lenta.
I need a cut that is good for slow cooking.
Fishmonger and butcher
Purtroppo lo vendiamo solo intero.
We only sell it whole, I am afraid.
You
Va bene, lo prendo intero.
Fine, I’ll take it whole.
Fishmonger and butcher
Sarà pronto tra dieci minuti.
It will be ready in ten minutes.
You
Quanto si conserva in frigorifero?
How long will it keep in the fridge?

Which Italian phrases do you need?

Questo pesce è di oggi?
Is this fish from today?
Che cosa mi consiglia per stasera?
What do you recommend for tonight?
Può pulirmi il pesce?
Could you clean the fish for me?
Può togliere le lische, per favore?
Could you take the bones out?
Come si cucina questo?
How do you cook this?
Mi serve un taglio adatto alla cottura lenta.
I need a cut that is good for slow cooking.
Può darmi un pezzo da quattro etti circa?
Could you give me a piece of about four hundred grams?
Può macinarmelo, per favore?
Could you mince this for me?
Quanto si conserva in frigorifero?
How long will it keep in the fridge?
Può ordinarmelo per sabato?
Could you order it in for Saturday?

What is worth knowing in Italy?

At the counter

1
Ask what’s fresh today, or what they recommend. The person at the counter knows.
What do you recommend for tonight?
2
Say how you want it done: cleaned, boned, minced or sliced.
Could you clean the fish for me?
3
Order by weight, then wait while it’s weighed and wrapped.
Could you give me a piece of about four hundred grams?

Etti and chili

Weights are in etti (an etto is a hundred grams) or chili. “Quattro etti” is four hundred grams, and a chilo is a kilo.

Order ahead

For a big roast or a whole fish, many shops are happy to order it in. Ask a day or two ahead.

Può ordinarmelo per sabato?

Could you order it in for Saturday?

Questions about this situation

Which Italian phrases matter most here?: “Questo pesce è di oggi?” (Is this fish from today); “Che cosa mi consiglia per stasera?” (What do you recommend for tonight); “Può pulirmi il pesce?” (Could you clean the fish for me). The full list is above.
Can I hear how they sound?: Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.
How can I practise this conversation?: Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Italy. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Related situations in Italian

All situations in Italian

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AI-generated. May be inaccurate.