Italian Phrase
Il piatto del giorno è la pasta dello chef.
Meaning
This phrase is commonly used in Italian restaurants to announce the daily special. It literally translates to 'The dish of the day is the pasta of the chef,' indicating a specific pasta dish prepared by the chef as the special offering for that day.
When to use
You'll hear this phrase from a waiter or see it written on a menu board when a restaurant wants to highlight a particular dish that is fresh, seasonal, or a chef's recommendation for the day. As a customer, you might ask 'Qual è il piatto del giorno?' (What is the dish of the day?) and this could be the response.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ilpiattodelgiornoèlapastadellochef
Il
'Il' is the masculine singular definite article, equivalent to 'the' in English. It's used before masculine nouns starting with a consonant.
Piatto del giorno
'Piatto' means 'dish' or 'plate'. 'Del giorno' means 'of the day'. This common collocation refers to the daily special.
È
'È' is the third-person singular form of the verb 'essere' (to be). It means 'is' and is used to identify or describe something.
La pasta
'La' is the feminine singular definite article. 'Pasta' is a feminine noun, so it takes 'la'.
Dello chef
'Dello' is an articulated preposition, a combination of 'di' (of) and 'lo' (the). It's used before masculine singular nouns starting with 's' followed by a consonant (like 'chef') or 'z'.
🗨In Conversation
Scusi, qual è il piatto del giorno?
Excuse me, what is the dish of the day?
Il piatto del giorno è la pasta dello chef.
The dish of the day is the chef's pasta.
✕Common Mistakes
Il piatto del giorno ha la pasta dello chef.
Using 'avere' (to have) instead of 'essere' (to be) for identification. 'È' (is) is correct here.
La piatto del giorno è il pasta dello chef.
Incorrect gender agreement. 'Piatto' is masculine, so it should be 'Il piatto'.
Il piatto del giorno è la pasta di chef.
Using 'di' instead of 'dello' for 'of the chef'. 'Dello' is the correct articulated preposition for 'il chef'.
↔Alternatives
Oggi abbiamo la pasta speciale dello chef.
Today we have the chef's special pasta.
La nostra specialità del giorno è la pasta dello chef.
Our daily special is the chef's pasta.
Il nostro suggerimento è la pasta dello chef.
Our suggestion is the chef's pasta.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, 'il piatto del giorno' (dish of the day) is a very common concept in trattorias and osterias. It often features fresh, seasonal ingredients and represents the chef's creativity or a traditional regional dish. Asking for it is a great way to experience authentic local cuisine and often offers good value. It's a sign of a restaurant that values fresh ingredients and culinary tradition.