forchetta

fork

noun for-KET-tah Rare

Usage Note

Forchetta is the diminutive form of the now-archaic forca ('fork / pitchfork'). In everyday speech it exclusively means the eating utensil. Italians say essere una buona forchetta ('to be a good fork') as an idiom meaning to be a hearty, appreciative eater — a compliment in Italian culture. The plural is regular: forchette.

Examples

"Hai preso la forchetta sbagliata."

Natural Translation

You took the wrong fork.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Days & Months in Italian: A Beginner's Guide

Days of the week in Italian are lowercase, all masculine except la domenica, and il lunedì means every Monday. Learn the days, months, dates, and seasons.

June 5, 2026 4 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Restaurant Etiquette: Mistakes to Avoid

Skip the cappuccino after dinner, never put parmesan on fish, and learn the exact Italian phrases to order gracefully and avoid looking like a tourist.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Noun Gender: Rules, Endings & Exceptions

Italian noun gender decoded: -o is usually masculine, -a feminine, but -zione and -tà are feminine, -ore and -ma masculine. Plus the trap words to memorize.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Articles: Il, Lo, La, I, Gli, Le Explained

Italian has seven words for 'the' — il, lo, la, i, gli, le — but it's two questions, not seven cases. Master gender, sound, and the lo/gli rule fast.

June 5, 2026 7 min read