How to Pronounce “limoncello”

American (US)

/ˌlɪmənˈt͡ʃɛloʊ/

British (UK)

/ˌlɪmənˈtʃɛləʊ/

noun — A kind of Italian lemon-flavoured liqueur.

Where the stress falls. “limoncello” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌlɪmənˈt͡ʃɛloʊ/ 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. /ˌlɪmənˈt͡ʃɛloʊ/ 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 "limoncello" mean?

limoncello (noun): A kind of Italian lemon-flavoured liqueur.

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

American English: /ˌlɪmənˈt͡ʃɛloʊ/. British English: /ˌlɪmənˈtʃɛləʊ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "limoncello"?

/ˌlɪmənˈt͡ʃɛloʊ/ in American English, /ˌlɪmənˈtʃɛləʊ/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "limoncello"?

“limoncello” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌlɪmənˈt͡ʃɛloʊ/ 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.