How to Pronounce Gnocchi (And Other Important Italian Words)

How to pronounce gnocchi (and other important Italian words)

There are lots of delicious Italian dishes that have become mainstream in English-speaking countries. Inevitably, their pronunciation has adapted to reflect anglophone vowel sounds and syllable stresses.

So, if you want some little toasts to snack on with your wine, and you order a “broo-shetta,” you might be caught off guard if you server gives you a blank stare.

It can be tricky to re-train your brain to pronounce a word you’ve been saying one way your whole life, but in this case, it’s definitely worthwhile.

Mispronouncing food words can be a dead giveaway that you’re not a native speaker. So, have a look at the list below to learn the real way how to pronounce gnocchi, among other important words.

Italian food pronunciation guide

gnocchi

You can find this word (meaning potato pasta) on Italian-inspired menus everywhere. But do you know how to pronounce gnocchi correctly?

First, the “gn” sound is a little different for anglophones. For this sound, imagine that you’ve eaten too much peanut butter and your tongue is stuck to the roof of your mouth. While your tongue is still against your hard palate, purse your lips as you would for the “o” sound that comes next. When you verbalize the syllable, think of the “-ing” ending in English. Drop the “i” and focus on the consonants. This is the sound you want to make at the very beginning, followed directly by the “o.”

We won’t deny that the letter “c” can present a challenge in Italian, too. If a “c” is followed by a consonant (here, a second “c”), then it is pronounced as a “hard c,” or a sound resembling a “k.”

The double consonant also means that you should linger on this sound just slightly longer than you normally would.

Here’s how to pronounce gnocchi:

 

al dente

Though you likely won’t need to use this phrase to order, it’s a crucial bit of pasta culture that anyone spending time in Italy should be familiar with.

It literally translates as “to the teeth,” but it used to describe the ideal degree of done-ness for pasta. (Depending on your own cultural and familial experiences with pasta, you might also be surprised to learn that Italians like their pasta with a bit of a chew to it.)

When you bite into a noodle cooked al dente, there’s just a tiny bit of firm whiteness at the center of the noodle.

Here’s how to pronounce al dente:

 

bruschette

These cute little toasts topped with vegetables, herbs, and oil are delicious! And they’re a common staple on hors d’oeuvres tables around the world. The authentic Italian pronunciation might surprise you, though…

You’ve probably already learned the Italian word che (what) – you can apply that same pronunciation of the “ch” combination here. The letters “ch” yield a “k” sound in Italian.

Here’s how to pronounce bruschette:

 

cappuccino

If you’re a coffee drinker, you may know this word well. But if you’re not, coffee menus can be really intimidating! A cappuccino is simply a shot of espresso topped with hot, foamed milk.

It’s also worth noting that American coffee culture is a bit different from other places around the world. You might get a funny look if you order a cappuccino after noon in Italy. This drink is considered a breakfast beverage due to its milk content.

Here’s how to pronounce cappuccino:

 

ciabatta

This is another word you’ve maybe seen on a menu at an upscale café or sandwich shop at home. It refers to a long, thin white bread that some might call the Italian version of a baguette.

Here’s how to pronounce ciabatta:

 

espresso / caffè

This another word you’ve surely seen before, but it might require a bit of cultural awareness to integrate fully with Italian coffee drinkers. In Italy, espresso is the default coffee, so Italians typically simply order “un caffè, per favore.” If you’re looking for a 16 oz. mug full of coffee, the closest you’ll get in most Italian establishments is “un caffè americano” (this is a shot of espresso stretched with hot water).

Another common point of confusion with the word espresso can be its pronunciation – note that there’s no “x” in the first syllable.

Here’s how to pronounce espresso:

Here’s how to pronounce caffè:

 

marinara

This is a fairly straightforward correction. But many English speakers, particularly in the United States, have adapted the pronunciation of this simple but delicious tomato sauce into something that Italians might not even recognize.

The bright long “a” sound in some English (Mary, cake, etc.) doesn’t exist in Italian. Rather, the Italian version is a little darker and is pronounced farther back in the throat. Think more like your doctor has a tongue depressor pressing down on your tongue and tells you to say “ahh.”

Here’s how to pronounce marinara:

 

prosciutto

This word for a particular kind of fatty, dry-cured ham is a good example of another way that the letter “c” can behave in Italian. The combination of letters “-sci-” (and also “-sce-“) in Italian yields a “sh” sound, as in the English word “ship.”

Here’s how to pronounce prosciutto:

 

stracciatella

Everyone loves chocolate chip ice cream.

But if you walk up to a gelato stand and are unexpectedly faced with this word, your first instinct might be to panic and rethink your order. But wait! It’s not as scary as it looks. In this instance, the double “c” comes before an “i,” which means that it must be pronounced “ch,” as in the English words “chocolate chip.” Easy to remember, right?

Here’s how to pronounce stracciatella:

 

zuppa

The “z” sound has a percussive nature in Italian, especially at the beginning of words.

Think “ts.” And as we discussed earlier, the double “p” means that you’ll linger on this letter a little longer.

Here’s how to pronounce zuppa:

 

Other resources

If you’re serious about improving your spoken Italian, we recommend that you spend some time using MosaChat-AI, our own artificial intelligence-powered conversation tool. You can practice your speaking and pronunciation with a virtual tutor.

You won’t have to worry about any of the self-consciousness you may experience when speaking with a human.

To take it a step further, check out our MosaSpeak Series. This course will help you grow and improve your spoken expression in Italian (fluency, accent, confidence, etc.).

Or, if you just need to double-check yourself on a word or phrase, check out Forvo. It’s an online reference for pronunciation – simply look up a word, and find short recordings of native speakers pronouncing that word!

Go further

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:

• Basic Italian Phrases (Beginners, Start Here!) [VIDEO]
• Frequency List: The 300 Most Common Italian Words
• Spoken Italian MasterClass Now Available: Speak with Confidence