If you’ve ever traveled to Italy, you might know the slight embarrassment of mispronouncing an Italian word—only to have a local gently (or not-so-gently) correct you. Whether it’s an enthusiastic “Actually, it’s grazi-EEE! ” from a hotel concierge or a barista smirking at your order of “expresso,” these moments can be humbling. While Italians generally appreciate the effort, some commonly mispronounced words can make even the most patient locals wince.
To help you avoid these small but awkward linguistic mishaps, we’ve put together a guide to some of the most frequently mispronounced Italian words—along with tips on how to say them correctly. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country. theusndfnfjdnd
CONVERSATION
Grazie
You wouldn’t think anyone would give you a sour look after thanking them, but sadly many non-Italian speakers get a slap on the hand for mispronouncing their word for word thank you. It’s not graz-i. There is an E on the end of grazie that you pronounce almost like an A sound. You can sound out the pronunciation as grazi-ay.
Buongiorno
Once you get off your flight to Italy, you may need to greet someone with a more formal hello or a good day. Don’t be tempted to say bohn-giorno. The U in buongiorno gives the word more of a drawn out sound, like boo-on-giorno.
Per favore
Italians will roll their eyes at you if you decide to switch to Spanish when you are requesting something. The Italian phrase for “thank you” is per favore, but foreigners often mispronounce it “por favor.” It should actually be “pear” like the fruit and then “fa-VOR-ay.”
Riposo
This isn’t so much of a mispronunciation in Italian as it is confused with a Spanish word, siesta. Italians don’t take a siesta. They take a riposo.
FOOD
Bruschetta
Just as you wouldn’t shoo away a plate of bruschetta, you also shouldn’t use the “shet” sound when you order it. Ch in Italian is pronounced with a K sound. So the word of this delicious starts is pronounced bru-SKET-ta.
Calzone
Calzone is another of those frequent food offenders. Although in American we might anglicize the pronunciation to “cal-ZOWN,” in Italia you’re better off pronouncing the final E. As with grazie, the E has more of an A sound like ay.
Espresso
You might want to order an espresso at that Italian café, only to have the barista laugh at you for adding an X to your pronunciation by saying, “Expresso.” Espresso is pronounced, as it is spelled, hence no X sound because there isn’t one.
Gnocchi
If you’re dining in Italy and want to order a delicious plate of gnocchi, make sure you say it right. Many English speakers mistakenly pronounce the “G” separately, saying something like “guh-NO-kee” or leave it off entirely by saying “NO-kee.” The correct pronunciation is NYO-kee — the “gn” makes a soft “ny” sound, similar to the Spanish “ñ.”
Mozzarella
You might love this stringy cheese, but are you saying it correctly? While many English speakers say “moz-uh-REL-a” or “mahz-a-REL-a,” the correct Italian pronunciation is mott-sah-REL-lah, with a distinct “ts” sound, not a “z.” And don’t leave off the final “a” sound!
Prosciutto
This beloved cured ham is often mispronounced in a few different ways. Many English speakers say “pro-SHOO-doe,” fully pronouncing the final “o” as if it rhymes with “toe.” Meanwhile, in certain Italian American communities, you’ll often hear the heavily anglicized version “pro-ZOOT,” where entire syllables are dropped, and a “z” sound replaces the soft “sh.”
In standard Italian, the correct pronunciation is pro-SHOOT-toh , with a distinct “sh” sound for “sci” and a sharp double “t.” While the final “o” is pronounced, it’s softer and quicker than the elongated “toe” sound often used in English. If you’re ordering this delicious cured meat in Italy, stick with pro-SHOOT-toh to avoid any confusion!
Ciabatta
This popular Italian bread is often mispronounced as “see-uh-BAH-tuh” or “chee-BAH-tah.” In Italian, “ci” is pronounced like “ch,” so the correct pronunciation is cha-BAH-tta. Don’t forget to double the “t” sound at the end!
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FAQs:
Q: How important is correct pronunciation when speaking Italian in Italy?
A: While Italians appreciate any effort to speak their language, correct pronunciation helps you be understood more easily and avoids confusion. Locals are generally forgiving, but some may correct you, especially on common words.
Q: Do Italians prefer that visitors try to speak Italian or just use English?
A: Italians appreciate when visitors make an effort to speak Italian, even if it’s just basic phrases. In tourist areas, many people speak English, but using simple Italian greetings and polite words is always welcomed.
Q: Are there any hand gestures that can help with communication?
A: Yes! Italians use hand gestures frequently to emphasize words. Simple gestures, like pinched fingers moving up and down for “What are you saying?” can help convey meaning. Just be mindful that some gestures have strong meanings.
Q: Is it okay to mix Spanish words with Italian if I don’t know the Italian word?
A: No, this can sometimes cause confusion or even mild annoyance. While Spanish and Italian are similar, they are distinct languages. If you’re unsure of a word, try using English or pointing instead.
Q: What are some common Italian phrases travelers should learn before visiting?
A: Beyond greetings like buongiorno (good morning) and ciao (hello/goodbye), it’s helpful to know scusa (excuse me), dov’è (where is…), quanto costa? (how much does it cost?), and il conto, per favore (the check, please).
Q: Is it necessary to roll my R’s when speaking Italian?
A: While rolling R’s is a natural part of Italian pronunciation, most Italians will still understand you if you don’t do it perfectly. However, if you can practice rolling your R’s, it will help your pronunciation sound more authentic.
Q: Will Italians understand me if I pronounce words with an English accent?
A: Generally, yes, but some words may be harder to recognize if heavily anglicized. Paying attention to vowel sounds and syllable emphasis can make a big difference in being understood.
Do you have any experience with mispronouncing Italian words? Tell us about it in the comments below!
