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PhrasesAt the BakeryQuanto costa al etto?
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Quanto costa al etto?

How much does it cost per 100 grams?

Pronunciation

'Etto' — stress on 'ÈT-to'. Double 't'. Short, crisp word.

When to use it

Ask when you see bread or pastries sold by weight. 'Etto' (100 grams) is the standard Italian unit of measure at food counters.

What it means

'Etto' = etto = hectogram = 100 grams. Italians buy food by the etto at delicatessens, bakeries, and markets. 'Quanto al chilo?' (how much per kilo?) is also used. This is essential vocabulary for any Italian food shopping.

Variations

Quanto al chilo?

How much per kilo?

Alternative for when buying larger quantities

E più economico in busta?

Is it cheaper in a bag?

Some bakeries offer pre-packaged bread at lower prices

C'è un prezzo fisso per la pagnotta?

Is there a fixed price for the whole loaf?

Ask for the whole-loaf price instead of per-weight pricing

Mini Dialogue

— Quanto costa al etto questo pane di segale? — Un euro e venti al etto. — Ne prendo tre etti. — Trecento grammi — le taglio le fette?

— How much does this rye bread cost per 100 grams? — One euro twenty per 100 grams. — I'll take three hundred grams. — Three hundred grams — shall I slice it for you?

Cultural Note

The 'etto' measurement is deeply embedded in Italian food culture. Asking 'un etto di prosciutto' at a deli or 'due etti di pane' at a bakery is perfectly normal. Tourists often find it confusing but it is one of the first practical vocabulary items that makes daily life much easier.