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PhrasesAt the MarketMe ne dà esattamente due etti?
A2

Me ne dà esattamente due etti?

Can you give me exactly two hundred grams?

Pronunciation

me ne DA e-zat-ta-MEN-te DU-e ET-ti

When to use it

Requesting a very precise weight, often for expensive items like cheese, truffle, or cured meat.

What it means

Italian measurements at markets often use etti (100-gram units) rather than grams. Un etto = 100g, due etti = 200g, mezzo chilo = 500g. Being precise is normal and expected, especially for high-value products. Vendors weigh carefully and show you the scale.

Variations

Un etto e mezzo, per favore.

One hundred and fifty grams, please.

Halfway between 100g and 200g

Quanto pesa questo pezzo?

How much does this piece weigh?

Asking about a pre-cut piece

Va bene anche qualcosa di più.

A bit more is fine too.

Giving flexibility on weight — common for cheese

Mini Dialogue

— Me ne dà esattamente due etti di parmigiano stagionato 36 mesi? — Provo — questo fa 210 grammi. Va bene? — Sì, va benissimo. — Eccolo — sei euro e trenta.

— Can you give me exactly two hundred grams of 36-month aged Parmigiano? — Let me try — this one is 210 grams. Is that all right? — Yes, perfectly fine. — Here you are — six euros thirty.

Cultural Note

Parmigiano-Reggiano DOP is aged for minimum 12 months, but 24-month and 36-month versions have fuller, more complex flavours. The Consorzio Parmigiano-Reggiano tests and brands each wheel; vendors selling authentic Parmigiano can show the certification marks on the rind.