Rachel Fell Nov 26, 2008:

10 ml I'd call this 2 teaspoons (2 x 5ml) or something, as dessertspoon is too vague.

Sarah Gregg (asker) Nov 26, 2008:

Clarification Do SO agree that it's important to get it right and in fact I've just heard back from the client who explains the following:
cucchiaio da the - 10 ml (so it would be "dessertspoon" in English)
cucchiaino - 5 ml (so "teaspoon").
In the translation I've added the quantities, explaining that these measures aren't standard in all countries, hope he decides to leave them in the final printed version! Thanks to you all.

Barbara Toffolon (X) Nov 26, 2008:

teaspoon vs. coffee spoon Hate to think that my child's health depends on a company that will not specify quantities in an intellegible manner. Sometimes a little more or a little less can make the difference. I support you request for clarification from your customer.

Sarah Gregg (asker) Nov 26, 2008:

Cucchiai/cucchiaini Allora, in ordine... Emma, unfortunately there is no "measure" and I have checked with the client who wants both terms translated.
NR: yes this is most helpful and I think you're right, the corresponding English would thus be "teaspoon" and "coffee spoon". The problem is that I think it very unlikely that many English readers would appreciate the subtle distinction and would almost certainly use a "teaspoon" for both :-(. Negotiations with the client continue! Thanks to everyone, Sarah.

Mirra_ Nov 26, 2008:

my advice :) convincing the client could be resolutive<BR>BUT<BR>first of all I would be *so* curious to know what he/she means with 'cucchiaini' and 'cucchiai da tè'. Also because in Italy we have 'cucchiaini da tè' not 'cucchiai'. I mean, they should have different size according to the client, or not?<BR>
More in detail, if you can, how much liquid they are supposed to contain?
thank you :)

Nicholas Stedman Nov 25, 2008:

Does this help? Fornire indicazioni circa la dose assunta ( un sorso di un bimbo ≈ 5 ml, di un adulto ≈ 30 ml, bicchiere d’acqua ≈ 200-250 ml, bicchiere da vino ≈ 120-170 ml, bicchiere da liquore ≈ 25-60 ml, tazzina da caffè ≈ 50-60 ml, cucchiaio da tavola ≈ 10-15 ml, cucchiaio da the ≈ 5 ml, cucchiaino da caffè ≈ 2,5 ml (From Foggia poison centre) according to this I would use coffeespoonful for cuchiaino given that one teaspoonful is two coffespoonfuls

Emma Drew Nov 25, 2008:

teaspoon I suspect that although they use two different words they are in any case the same size and I agree with Rachel, unless there is a measure in the pack, it's more than likely to be a 5ml teaspoon.

Rachel Fell Nov 25, 2008:

teaspoon In the UK, esp. in a medical context, these are understood to be 5ml - cucchiaino sounds a bit vague ;-) - sorry! I mean, could be a half teaspoon, but not sure.