Italian Pronunciation

To properly discuss food and wine with guests, it is a good idea to learn the basics of Italian pronunciation. Here is a helpful external guide with audio references. For the correct pronunciation of some menu words commonly mispronounced by English speakers, please see below.

‘Nduja arancini (rice & spicy pork fritters): en-DOO-ya / ah-rahn-CHEE-nee

Bruschetta (toast with toppings): broo-SKET-ta

Acciughe (anchovies): ah-CHOO-geh

Arancia (orange): ah-RAHN-cha

Cibreo (chopped chicken livers): chee-BRAY-o

Cenere (ash): CHEH-neh-reh

Finocchio (fennel): fee-NOH-kee-oh

Carciofi (artichokes): kar-CHOH-fee

Fagioli all’uccelletto (Tuscan beans): fah-JOH-lee / al-oo-chel-LET-toh

Griglia (grill): GREE-lyah

Pappardelle (broad, flat pasta): pahp-pahr-DEL-leh (*Be sure to pronounce the final syllable; it is not pronounced “pahp-pahr-del”.)

Tagliatelle (a thinner, flat pasta): tah-lyah-TEL-leh (*As above, be sure to pronounce the final syllable. The G is pronounced as “ya” rather than “ga”.)

Pesce (fish): PEH-sheh

Baccalà e ceci (salted cod and chickpeas): bahk-kah-LAH / eh / CHEH-chee

Coniglio (rabbit): koh-NEEL-yoh

Polpette (meatballs): pol-PEH-teh

Sale (salt): SAH-leh

Svizzerina (chopped steak): zvee-tseh-REE-nah