How to Pronounce “bolognese”

American (US)

/ˌboʊləˈniz/

British (UK)

/ˌbɒləˈneɪz/

noun — An Italian sauce made from ground meat and tomato, originating in Bologna.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˌboʊləˈniz/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “bolognese” is not pronounced.

A loanword from Italian. Named for Bologna. In Italian the -ese ending is “-EH-zeh”, so the sauce is “bo-lo-NYEH-zeh”; English commonly shortens it to “bol-uh-NAYZ”.

Where the stress falls. “bolognese” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˌboʊləˈniz/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌboʊləˈniz/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "bolognese" mean?

bolognese (noun): An Italian sauce made from ground meat and tomato, originating in Bologna.

How do you pronounce "bolognese" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˌboʊləˈniz/. British English: /ˌbɒləˈneɪz/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "bolognese"?

/ˌboʊləˈniz/ in American English, /ˌbɒləˈneɪz/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "bolognese"?

“bolognese” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˌboʊləˈniz/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.