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A2🔤 Letters O & P

Italian word

osteria

a simple, traditional Italian tavern or trattoria

Looks like

osteria (may suggest 'oyster bar' to English speakers)

no direct English equivalent; NOT an oyster restaurant

⚠️ The trap

English speakers sometimes assume 'osteria' relates to oysters (ostriche). It actually comes from 'oste' (innkeeper) — it is a simple, cosy restaurant serving traditional food and local wine.

To say "no direct English equivalent; NOT an oyster restaurant" in Italian:

bar alle ostriche (oyster bar)

"osteria" in English means:

a simple, traditional Italian tavern or trattoria

Example

"Abbiamo cenato in una piccola osteria del centro."

"We had dinner at a small traditional tavern in the town centre."

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