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PhrasesOrdering CoffeeUn cornetto al cioccolato, per favore.
A1

Un cornetto al cioccolato, per favore.

A chocolate croissant, please.

Pronunciation

cor-NET-to — three syllables, stress on second. Double 't' is held slightly.

When to use it

When ordering a croissant to accompany your coffee at breakfast. 'Cornetto' is the Italian word for croissant.

What it means

'Cornetto' literally means 'little horn' — the Italian croissant is slightly different from the French version: sweeter, less buttery, and usually filled. 'Al cioccolato' means with chocolate filling. Other fillings: 'alla crema' (custard), 'alla marmellata' (jam), 'alla nocciola' (hazelnut).

Variations

Un cornetto alla crema.

A custard croissant.

'Crema' = custard cream filling — the most popular filling

Un cornetto vuoto.

A plain croissant.

'Vuoto' = empty/plain — no filling. Sometimes called 'semplice'

Un cornetto integrale.

A wholemeal croissant.

'Integrale' = wholemeal — healthier option, increasingly common

Mini Dialogue

— Un caffè e un cornetto al cioccolato. — Il cornetto lo vuole caldo? — Sì, per favore! — Eccolo, appena uscito dal forno.

— A coffee and a chocolate croissant. — Would you like the croissant warm? — Yes, please! — Here it is, just out of the oven.

Cultural Note

The 'cappuccino e cornetto' is the Italian national breakfast. However, the Italian cornetto is quite different from a French croissant — it is richer and sweeter, almost brioche-like. Bars that make their own ('fatto in casa') cornettos are a special treat worth seeking out.