Italian Word of the Day: Ordinare

Meaning: To order

Part of Speech: verb

Translation: I would like to order a plate of pasta with tomato sauce, please.

Context: Vorrei ordinare un piatto di pasta al pomodoro, per favore.

Cultural nugget: In Italian dining culture, meals progress in a specific order: antipasto (appetizer), primo (first course, usually pasta or rice), secondo (main course, typically meat or fish) with contorno (side dish), and dolce (dessert). When you 'ordini' in Italy, waiters typically won't rush you and expect you to enjoy each course at a leisurely pace.