The partitive article for "some" (del, della)

At the Deli Counter: Asking for "Some"

When you visit an Italian delicatessen (salumeria), you use the partitive article (articolo partitivo) to express "some" or an indefinite quantity of an uncountable mass noun (like bread, cheese, or turkey).

Forming the Partitive Article

The partitive article is formed by combining the preposition di (of) with the definite article (il, lo, la, l', i, gli, le).

Singular Mass Nouns

Choose the singular partitive article that matches the noun's gender and starting letter:

• del for most masculine nouns
• della for most feminine nouns
• dello for masculine nouns starting with s + consonant or z

If the noun (or the adjective immediately preceding it) starts with a vowel, use dell'.

Plural Countable Nouns

The partitive article isn't just for liquids and meats. Use its plural forms (dei, degli, delle) with countable nouns to mean "some" or "a few" individual items.