Shopping - Lesson 3 - Conversation:

Alla macelleria

(At the butcher shop)


(photo by  Brad Coy used under terms of Creative Commons license.)
macelleria


 






Macellaio:

Buon giorno, Signora. In che posso servirLa?

Signora Smith:

Vorrei mezzo chilo di tritato ed un arrosto di vitello da circa due chili.

Macellaio:

Ecco qui. Desidera altro?

Signora Smith:

Si, tre bistecche di costata spesse due dita, delle salsicce.

Macellaio:

Una dozzina?

Signora Smith:

Si, grazie. Mi dia anche mezzo chilo di fettine di vitello, sottili, per favore.

Macellaio:

Va bene così, Signora?

Signora Smith:

Si. Quant'é?

Macellaio:

35.500 lire.

Signora Smith:

Scusi, ha un pollo arrosto?

Macellaio:

No, Signora, mi dispiace. Deve andare alla rosticceria qui di fronte.

Signora Smith:

Grazie mille.

Macellaio:

Non c'e di che.


 

Translation:

Butcher:

Good morning, ma'am. May I help you?

Mrs. Smith:

I'd like half a kilo of ground beef and a veal roast of about two kilos.

Butcher:

Here. Do you want anything else?

Mrs. Smith:

Yes, three T-bone steaks, two fingers thick, and some sausages.

Butcher:

A dozen?

Mrs. Smith:

Yes, thank you. Also give me half a kilo of sliced veal, thin, please.

Butcher:

Is it OK like that, ma'am?

Mrs. Smith:

Yes. How much is it?

Butcher:

35,500 lire.

Mrs. Smith:

Excuse me, do you have a roast chicken?

Butcher:

No, ma'am, I'm sorry. You must go to the rotisserie across the street.

Mrs. Smith:

Many thanks.

Butcher:

Don't mention it.



 



Notes on conversation

1. Carne tritata or tritato means "ground beef."

2. Spesso, "thick," is used to order a cut of meat. To indicate the thickness they desire, Italians say spessa un dito, spessa due dita, while showing one or two fingers. Il dito (masculine singular) is "the finger" and le dita (feminine plural) means "the fingers."

3. sottile, "thin."

4. Rosticceria "rotisserie." A very useful place to buy everything from a quick lunch to a full (carry-out) dinner. It is similar to an American delicatessen or snack bar. These shops are open on Sundays and holidays and often carry items found in the generi alimentari.

5. Di fronte, "in front of, opposite, facing or across the  street." Di faccia has the same meaning.

6. Usually U.S. personnel buy their meat at the commissary.