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How to Say ‘I mean with coffee, not just milk’ in Italian

Intendo con il caffè, non solo latte

een-TEN-doh kohn eel kahf-FEH nohn SOH-loh Laht-teh

[een-TEN-doh kohn eel kahf-FEH nohn SOH-loh Laht-teh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: If you order just a latte in Italy, you'll get a glass of plain milk. Ask for a caffè latte or latte macchiato when you want coffee in it.

Phrase Breakdown

Intendo

[een-TEN-doh]

I mean

First person of 'intendere'; used to clarify what you meant.

Example

Intendo un caffè lungo.

I mean a long coffee.

con il caffè,

kohn eel kahf-FEH

with coffee,

Keep the article with the noun. Stress the last syllable: kaf-FEH.

Example

Latte con il caffè.

Milk with coffee.

Words in this phrase

con

[kohn]

with

A preposition meaning with, often used to describe manner or attitude.

Example

Nell'espressione Con sincerità, Con spiega il modo in cui le persone si comportano.

In the expression 'Con sincerità,' 'Con' explains the way people behave.

[eel]

the

Masculine singular definite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Nella frase Il tempo personale, Il introduce il concetto di tempo privato.

In the phrase 'Il tempo personale,' 'Il' introduces the concept of private time.

caffè

[kahf-FEH]

coffee

"Caffè" means "coffee" and often suggests an informal meeting, very common in Italian professional culture.

Example

Dopo la conferenza, ci incontriamo davanti a un caffè.

After the conference, we’ll meet over a coffee.

non solo latte

nohn SOH-loh Laht-teh

not just milk

This contrasts with the first part. Put slight emphasis on 'solo'.

Example

Non solo pane, anche latte.

Not just bread, also milk.

Words in this phrase

non

[nohn]

not

This word negates the verb that follows it.

Example

Non c'é nessuno.

There is no one.

solo

[SOH-loh]

only / just

Used to limit the amount or number of something.

Example

Solo mezzo chilo, grazie.

Just half a kilo, thanks.

latte

[Laht-teh]

Milk

A dairy product often added to coffee or tea.

Example

Metti del latte nel caffè.

Put some milk in the coffee.

Guides for Italian learners

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