Today we are going to be looking at a useful everyday word that can be classified as both an adjective and a noun: piatto.
piatto
flat / plate / dish
‘Piatto’ the adjective
Used as an adjective, this word translates to flat or level. It is derived from the Latin *plattum, which in turn comes from the Greek platýs meaning ‘broad.’
The ending changes in accordance with the gender and plurality of the subject. For example:
- lo schermo piatto = the flat screen > gli schermi piatti = the flat screens
- la pietra piatta = the flat stone > le pietre piatte = the flat stones
- il tavolo piatto = the flat table > i tavoli piatti = the flat tables
- la superficie piatta = a flat surface > le superfici piatte = the flat surfaces
Ho comprato un televisore a schermo piatto.
I bought a flat screen TV.
Piatto can also describe a calm body of water (e.g. il mare piatto = the calm sea) that lacks waves, as still water can appear flat and level.
In geometry, it can also refer to a straight angle (angolo piatto).
Figuratively speaking, it may also denote something that is boring, dull or dreary, such as a book or movie that lacks an interesting plot.
Questo film è così piatto. Guardiamone un altro.
This film is so dull. Let’s watch a different one.
‘Piatto’ the noun
Derived from this adjective, we get the noun piatto which refers to a plate, such as the kind we use to serve or eat food on. Unlike the adjective, the noun piatto only exists in its masculine form, with the plural being piatti.
A piatto fondo (literally “deep plate”) refers to a plate with a raised rim, used for soups and pasta dishes, while a piatto piano is the word for a standard flat dinner plate. A sottopiatto (literally “under plate”) is a charger plate or service plate.
Togliamo i piatti dalla lavastoviglie.
Let’s take the plates out of the dishwasher.
By extension, piatto can also refer to the food on the plate itself. When this is the meaning, some possible translations in English include dish, platter, plate, meal and course.
- piatto caldo = hot dish
- piatto freddo = cold dish / platter
- piatto del giorno = special of the day
- piatto tipico = typical dish
- piatto unico = single course
- primo piatto = first course
- piatto di pasta = plate of pasta / pasta dish
- piatto forte = main course / specialty
- piatto principale = main dish
- secondo piatto = main meal / main course
Qual è il piatto del giorno?
What’s the special of the day?
In music, piatto is the word for a cymbal owing to its plate-like appearance, and the word for platter, where you place the record on a turntable.
Finally, in gambling, it refers to a pot, pool or kitty.
Bisogna spartire il piatto fra i giocatori.
We must divvy up the pot between the players.
Idioms and proverbs containing ‘piatto’
Il piatto piange
Literal translation: the pot cries
English meaning: the kitty is short (an expression used in poker)
Vendersi per un piatto di lenticchie
Literal translation: to sell oneself for a plate of lentils
English meaning: the act of giving something of great value to someone for very little compensation
This is a Biblical expression that derives from the Bereishit story of Esau who sells his birthright to Yaacov for a bowl of lentil stew.
Piatto ricco, mi ci ficco
Literal translation: rich dish, I dive into it
English meaning: there is an inviting meal in front of me, and I’m more than happy to dig in
Sputare nel piatto dove si mangia
Literal translation: to spit in the plate where you eat
English meaning: to fail to appreciate one’s fortunate circumstances or those who provide for you, to bite the hand that feeds you
Heather Broster is a graduate with honours in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, proficient in English and Italian, as well as Japanese, Welsh, and French to varying degrees of fluency. Originally from Toronto, Heather has resided in various countries, notably Italy for a period of six years. Her primary focus lies in the fields of language acquisition, education, and bilingual instruction.
