Italian Phrase
La mia bistecca è poco cotta.
Meaning
The speaker is saying that their steak is undercooked, i.e., it has not been cooked enough for their taste. The phrase can be used to politely point out that the meat is still too rare.
When to use
Use this sentence at a restaurant when the steak you ordered is not cooked to the desired doneness, or when you’re describing how you like your steak at home.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lamiabisteccaèpococotta
Article + Possessive
In Italian, the definite article (la) agrees with the gender and number of the noun, and the possessive adjective (mia) also agrees with the noun.
Verb essere (è)
The verb 'essere' is used as a linking verb to describe a state; it conjugates as 'è' for third‑person singular.
Adverb poco
‘Poco’ is an adverb meaning ‘a little’ or ‘not much’; it modifies the past participle that follows.
Past participle agreement
When used with ‘essere’, the past participle behaves like an adjective and must agree in gender and number with the subject (cotta for feminine singular).
🗨In Conversation
La tua bistecca è poco cotta?
Is your steak undercooked?
Sì, la preferisco più al sangue.
Yes, I prefer it more rare.
✕Common Mistakes
La mia bistecca è poco cotto.
‘Cotto’ is masculine; the noun ‘bistecca’ is feminine, so the past participle must be ‘cotta’.
La poco bistecca è cotta.
Learners sometimes treat ‘poco’ as an adjective and place it before the noun; it is an adverb that modifies the verb.
La mia bistecca ha poco cottura.
‘Cottura’ is a noun; you need the adverb‑participle construction, not a noun phrase.
↔Alternatives
La mia bistecca è al sangue.
My steak is rare.
La mia bistecca è poco cotta, la vorrei più cotta.
My steak is undercooked; I’d like it more cooked.
La bistecca è poco cotta per i miei gusti.
The steak is undercooked for my taste.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, most people prefer their meat cooked ‘media’ (medium) or ‘al sangue’ (rare). Asking for a steak ‘poco cotta’ is perfectly normal, but be aware that some older generations may expect it more cooked. When you’re at a trattoria, you can simply say ‘poco cotta’ or ‘al sangue’ to indicate the level you want.