How to Order by Weight in Italian Delis and Markets

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Illustration of a deli worker weighing sliced cured meat for a customer at a market counter.

When buying cheese or cured meat at an Italian deli (salumeria), neighborhood store (alimentari), or supermarket fresh counter, prices on display show the cost per kilogram. However, locals rarely order by the kilogram or gram. Instead, they order in etti. One etto equals 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces). To ask for 100 grams of prosciutto, say: "Buongiorno, vorrei un etto di prosciutto crudo, per favore."

Essential Weight Terms

To order the right quantity at any Italian food counter, use these common weight phrases:

  • Un etto = 100 grams
  • Due etti = 200 grams
  • Tre etti = 300 grams
  • Un etto e mezzo = 150 grams
  • Due etti e mezzo = 250 grams
  • Mezzo chilo = 500 grams (half a kilogram)

Note that etto changes to etti in the plural. When you reach 500 grams, Italians switch from cinque etti to mezzo chilo.

Specifying How You Want It Cut

After stating the weight, tell the clerk how you want your food prepared:

  • A fette sottili – Thinly sliced (the standard choice for prosciutto or mortadella)
  • A fette un po' più spesse – Sliced a bit thicker
  • In un pezzo unico – In one solid piece (ideal if you plan to dice bacon or parmesan at home)
  • Grattugiato – Grated (for hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano)

For example, to order 200 grams of thinly sliced salami, say: "Mi dà due etti di salame, a fette sottili?"

Example Deli Counter Exchange

Here is an example exchange showing how a typical counter interaction works in Italy:

Clerk: Buongiorno! Prego, a chi toca? (Good morning! Who is next?) You: Buongiorno! Vorrei due etti di prosciutto cotto, per favore. (Good morning! I would like 200 grams of cooked ham, please.) Clerk: Va bene. Tagliato sottile? (Alright. Thinly sliced?) You: Sì, grazie. E un etto e mezzo di pecorino. (Yes, thank you. And 150 grams of pecorino cheese.) Clerk: (Slicing and weighing the cheese) Sono duecentocinquanta grammi. Va bene lo stesso? (It came out to 250 grams. Is that okay anyway?) You: Sì, va benissimo, grazie. (Yes, that is completely fine, thank you.) Clerk: Altro? (Anything else?) You: No, basta così, grazie. Quanto costa? (No, that is all, thank you. How much is it?)

Quick Recovery Phrases

If the counter clerk speaks quickly or cuts more than you asked for, these polite phrases will keep the conversation on track:

  • "Può ripetere più lentamente, per favore?" – Could you repeat a bit more slowly, please?
  • "Un po' meno, per favore." – A little less, please.
  • "Va bene lo stesso." – That is fine anyway.
  • "Basta così, grazie." – That is all, thank you.

Practice Your Order

Test yourself before heading to the shop. Pick an item (prosciutto crudo, salame, or parmigiano), choose a quantity (un etto or due etti), and add your cut preference (a fette sottili).

Try forming the sentence in your mind for 200 grams of thinly sliced mortadella before reading the answer below:

"Due etti di mortadella, a fette sottili, per favore."

If you want to build steady confidence for practical everyday Italian situations, explore PulseLingo to get notified when new practical learning tools launch. For more situational practice, visit our Italian language guides.

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