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How to Say ‘Just milk, or a latte macchiato?’ in Italian

Solo latte, o un latte macchiato?

SOH-loh LAHT-teh oh oon LAHT-teh mahk-KYAH-toh

[SOH-loh LAHT-teh oh oon LAHT-teh mahk-KYAH-toh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: A barista might ask this when a tourist orders un latte, to check whether they really want a glass of milk.

Phrase Breakdown

Solo latte,

SOH-loh LAHT-teh

Just milk,

'Solo' means 'only' or 'just'. Stress the first syllable: SO-lo LAT-te.

Example

Prendo solo latte.

I'll have just milk.

Words in this phrase

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

Plain milk, without coffee.

Example

Metto il latte nel caffè.

I put milk in the coffee.

o un latte macchiato?

oh oon LAHT-teh mahk-KYAH-toh

or a latte macchiato?

'O' means 'or'. It blends smoothly into 'un'. Let your voice rise at the end for the question.

Example

Tè o un caffè?

Tea or a coffee?

Words in this phrase

[oh]

Connects two options, such as inside or outside seating.

Example

Preferisci dentro o fuori per cena?

Do you prefer inside or outside for dinner?

[oon]

a / an

An indefinite article meaning 'a' before a masculine singular noun.

Example

È stato un incontro molto utile.

It was a very useful meeting.

latte

[LAHT-teh]

milk

Milk; here the base of the drink 'latte macchiato'.

Example

Il latte è caldo.

The milk is hot.

macchiato

[mahk-KYAH-toh]

stained / marked

Means 'spotted'; a latte macchiato is hot milk marked with a shot of espresso.

Example

Prendo un caffè macchiato.

I'll have an espresso with a dash of milk.

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