How to Pronounce “mozzarella”

American (US)

/ˌmɑːtsəˈrelə/

British (UK)

/ˌmɒtsəˈrelə/

noun — A mild, soft Italian cheese traditionally made from buffalo milk.

Example: The mozzarella stretched into long threads.

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

mozzarella (noun): A mild, soft Italian cheese traditionally made from buffalo milk. For example — The mozzarella stretched into long threads.

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

American English: /ˌmɑːtsəˈrelə/. British English: /ˌmɒtsəˈrelə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "mozzarella"?

/ˌmɑːtsəˈrelə/ in American English, /ˌmɒtsəˈrelə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "mozzarella"?

“mozzarella” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌmɑːtsəˈrelə/ 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.

• Italian loanwords