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PhrasesAt the RestaurantMi dispiace, questo non è quello che ho ordinato.
B1formal

Mi dispiace, questo non è quello che ho ordinato.

I'm sorry, this is not what I ordered.

Pronunciation

or-di-NA-to — four syllables, stress on the third.

When to use it

When the wrong dish has been brought to your table. Start with 'mi dispiace' to soften the correction.

What it means

'Mi dispiace' (I'm sorry) is used here not to apologise for your own action but to soften a complaint — a common Italian politeness strategy. 'Quello che ho ordinato' means 'what I ordered'. This is more effective than a blunt complaint.

Variations

Scusi, credo ci sia un errore.

Excuse me, I think there may be a mistake.

Even more diplomatic — 'credo' (I think) signals you are not certain

Ho ordinato le penne, non i rigatoni.

I ordered penne, not rigatoni.

Specific and clear — useful when the mix-up involves a specific item

Questo piatto è per un altro tavolo?

Is this dish for another table?

Very gentle — allows the waiter to save face

Mini Dialogue

— Eccole le tagliatelle al salmone. — Mi dispiace, questo non è quello che ho ordinato — io ho preso le tagliatelle al ragù. — Mi scusi, ho fatto confusione. Glielo cambio subito. — Grazie, nessun problema.

— Here are the tagliatelle with salmon. — I'm sorry, this is not what I ordered — I had the tagliatelle with ragù. — I apologise, I got confused. I'll change it right away. — Thank you, no problem.

Cultural Note

Mistakes in Italian restaurants are usually handled graciously. Raising your voice or making a scene is considered very bad form. A polite correction will almost always be fixed immediately and often comes with an apology from the owner.