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Italian Phrase

Ci sono noci in questo piatto?

/tʃi ˈso.no ˈno.tʃi in ˈkwes.to ˈpjat.to/
Meaning"Are there nuts in this dish?"
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Meaning

This phrase is a direct and common way to inquire about the presence of nuts in a particular food item. 'Ci sono' translates to 'there are' and is used to ask about the existence or presence of plural items. It's crucial for those with allergies or dietary preferences.

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When to use

You would typically use this phrase in a restaurant, at a friend's house, or when buying food, especially if you have a nut allergy or simply don't like nuts. It's a polite and straightforward way to get important information about ingredients.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ci sononociinquestopiatto

1

Ci sono

'Ci sono' means 'there are' and is used to indicate the existence or presence of plural nouns. It's the plural form of 'c'è' (there is).

2

Noci

'Noci' is the plural form of 'noce', meaning 'nut'. It refers to nuts in general, including walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, etc.

3

In questo piatto

'In' means 'in' or 'on', 'questo' means 'this', and 'piatto' means 'dish' or 'plate'. This phrase specifies the location of the inquiry.

🗨In Conversation

A

Scusi, ci sono noci in questo piatto?

Excuse me, are there nuts in this dish?

No, non ci sono noci. È completamente senza.

No, there are no nuts. It's completely without.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Sono noci in questo piatto?

    While 'sono' means 'are', 'ci sono' is the correct construction for 'there are' or 'are there' when referring to existence or presence.

  • C'è noci in questo piatto?

    'C'è' is for singular ('there is'), but 'noci' (nuts) is plural. You need 'ci sono' for plural nouns.

↔Alternatives

  • Questo piatto contiene noci?

    Does this dish contain nuts?

  • Ci sono arachidi in questo piatto?

    Are there peanuts in this dish?

  • È un piatto senza noci?

    Is it a nut-free dish?

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Cultural Tip

In Italy, while awareness of food allergies is growing, it's always best to be explicit when asking about ingredients, especially for severe allergies. Italians appreciate directness in such matters. Using 'Ci sono noci?' is perfectly polite and understood, particularly in restaurants where chefs are often willing to accommodate dietary needs.