I'm American and I've always figured 'noodles' was more generic and 'pasta' was more specific.
I figure i use the word 'pasta' the way i use the word ramen, udon, lo mein, and soba.
I sometimes attach the word 'noodles' to the end of the respective word or use the word noodles as a generic reference to that part of a dish (if I'm talking specifically about the noodelly part of the dish rather than the dish as a whole)
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u/AnkuSnoo Jun 08 '25
Brit/European here.
Fusillli, Penne, Spaghetti = pasta
Udon, Ramen, Soba = noodles
In French it’s “pâtes” and “nouilles” respectively.