Italian word
primo
first course (pasta, risotto, soup)
Looks like
prime / primary
'prime' in English often means the best; 'primo' in English is used in Italian-American slang
⚠️ The trap
Italian meals have a structure: antipasto → primo (pasta/soup) → secondo (meat/fish) → contorno (side) → dolce (dessert). Ordering a 'primo' is NOT your main course — it is just the pasta course. Many tourists order only a 'primo' thinking it is the main meal, then are surprised when a 'secondo' is expected.
To say "'prime' in English often means the best; 'primo' in English is used in Italian-American slang" in Italian:
primo (first course) / secondo (main course) / contorno (side dish)
"primo" in English means:
first course (pasta, risotto, soup)
Example
"Come primo prendo le tagliatelle al ragù."
"For my first course I'll have tagliatelle with meat sauce."
Test your Italian level
Find your level and start the right lessons for you.