Italian for the Pastificio: Asking to Keep Two Types of Fresh Pasta Separate
Learn polite Italian phrases to ask staff at a pastificio to keep two types of fresh pasta separate, using sacchetto, vassoio, and diviso.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
At a pastificio, you might want to buy two kinds of fresh pasta—say, tagliatelle and ravioli—without them touching, perhaps because one is delicate or you plan to cook them at different times. This lesson teaches you how to make that request clearly and politely in Italian. You will learn key nouns like sacchetto (small bag) and vassoio (tray), the adjective diviso (separated), and sentence patterns such as 'Può metterle in due sacchetti?' and 'Non vorrei che si mescolassero.' The focus is on speaking with staff, so you can get exactly what you need without confusion.
By the end, you can…
- ask a pastificio worker to put two types of fresh pasta in separate bags or containers.
- explain that I don't want the two pastas to mix, using a polite negative construction.
- understand and use words like sacchetto, vassoio, and diviso in context.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Può metterle in due sacchetti?
Can you put them in two bags?
pwoh meht-TEHR-leh een DOO-eh sah-KEHT-tee
Use when you want each type of pasta in its own small bag. 'Le' refers to the two types (feminine plural, agreeing with 'paste' understood).
Non vorrei che si mescolassero.
I wouldn't want them to mix.
nohn vohr-RAY keh see meh-skoh-LAHS-seh-roh
Polite way to express concern about mixing. The imperfect subjunctive 'mescolassero' is triggered by 'non vorrei che'.
Potrebbe tenerle separate?
Could you keep them separate?
poh-TREHB-beh teh-NEHR-leh seh-pah-RAH-teh
A slightly more formal request using 'Potrebbe' instead of 'Può'. 'Separate' is the feminine plural adjective agreeing with 'le' (the pastas).
Mi può dare un vassoio per ogni tipo?
Can you give me a tray for each type?
mee pwoh DAH-reh oon vahs-SOH-yoh pehr OH-nyee TEE-poh
Useful if the pasta is sold on trays rather than in bags. 'Vassoio' is a shallow tray, often used for fresh pasta.
Vorrei che fossero ben divisi.
I would like them to be well separated.
vohr-RAY keh FOHS-seh-roh behn dee-VEE-zee
'Divisi' means separated or divided. This phrase emphasizes that you want a clear division between the two types.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask for separate packaging, use 'Può metterle in due sacchetti?' (Can you put them in two bags?). The verb 'mettere' (to put) is followed by 'in' + container. 'Le' is the direct object pronoun for feminine plural, referring to 'le paste' (the pastas). If you are buying one type of pasta in two separate bags, you would say 'Può metterla in due sacchetti?' (la = one type). For a more formal tone, replace 'Può' with 'Potrebbe': 'Potrebbe metterle in due sacchetti?' This pattern works with other containers: 'in due vassoi' (on two trays), 'in due contenitori' (in two containers).
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are at the counter and the staff is about to wrap your pasta. It is polite to start with 'Scusi' or 'Per favore'. For example: 'Scusi, può metterle in due sacchetti? Non vorrei che si mescolassero.' If the pasta is displayed on trays, you might say: 'Preferisco tenerle separate. Mi può dare un vassoio per ogni tipo?' The adjective 'diviso' (separated) can be used: 'Vorrei che fossero ben divisi.' Note that 'diviso' agrees in gender and number: 'divisa' (feminine singular), 'divisi' (masculine plural), 'divise' (feminine plural). In some regions, 'sacchetto' may be called 'busta', but 'sacchetto' is widely understood.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buongiorno, vorrei due etti di tagliatelle e due etti di ravioli.
Good morning, I would like two hectograms of tagliatelle and two hectograms of ravioli.bwohn-JOHR-noh, vohr-RAY DOO-eh EHT-tee dee tah-lyah-TEHL-leh eh DOO-eh EHT-tee dee rah-VYOH-leeCerto. Li metto insieme?
Of course. Shall I put them together?CHEHR-toh. lee MEHT-toh een-SYEH-mehNo, grazie. Può metterle in due sacchetti? Non vorrei che si mescolassero.
No, thank you. Can you put them in two bags? I wouldn't want them to mix.noh, GRAH-tsyeh. pwoh meht-TEHR-leh een DOO-eh sah-KEHT-tee? nohn vohr-RAY keh see meh-skoh-LAHS-seh-rohVa bene, faccio due sacchetti separati.
All right, I'll make two separate bags.vah BEH-neh, FAHT-choh DOO-eh sah-KEHT-tee seh-pah-RAH-teeA little context goes a long way
At a pastificio, staff are usually happy to accommodate requests for separate packaging, but it's polite to ask before they start wrapping. Using 'Lei' forms like 'Può' or 'Potrebbe' shows respect. In some shops, fresh pasta is sold by weight and placed directly on a tray or in a bag; if you want separate containers, specify 'due sacchetti' or 'due vassoi'. The word 'etto' (100 grams) is standard for ordering. Regional differences: in some areas, 'sacchetto' might be called 'busta', and 'vassoio' could be 'teglia' for a larger tray, but these are generally understood.
One thing to watch for
Using 'separato' instead of 'separate' when referring to two feminine plural nouns, e.g., 'Vorrei tenerle separato'.
Try this instead: The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For 'le paste' (feminine plural), use 'separate': 'Vorrei tenerle separate.' For masculine plural, use 'separati': 'I sacchetti sono separati.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask the staff to put two types of pasta in two bags, using a polite question?
Show a sample answer
Può metterle in due sacchetti?
This uses the polite 'Può' + infinitive 'mettere' with the pronoun 'le' (them, feminine plural) and 'in due sacchetti'. You could also say 'Potrebbe metterle in due sacchetti?' for extra formality.
2What phrase expresses 'I wouldn't want them to mix' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Non vorrei che si mescolassero.
This uses 'non vorrei che' + imperfect subjunctive 'mescolassero' (they mix). It's a polite way to express a negative wish. A simpler alternative is 'Non vorrei che si mescolino', but the subjunctive is more appropriate after 'non vorrei che'.
3If you want each type of pasta on its own tray, what could you say?
Show a sample answer
Mi può dare un vassoio per ogni tipo?
This asks for a tray for each type. 'Vassoio' is a tray. You could also say 'Vorrei un vassoio per ogni tipo' or 'Potrebbe metterle su due vassoi?'
To keep two types of fresh pasta separate at the pastificio, use polite requests like 'Può metterle in due sacchetti?' and express your concern with 'Non vorrei che si mescolassero.' Remember to make adjectives like 'separate' and 'divise' agree with the feminine plural noun 'paste'.
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