How to Pronounce “puttanesca”

American (US)

/ˌputəˈnɛskə/

British (UK)

/ˌpʊtəˈnɛskə/

noun — A cooking sauce made from tomato flavoured with garlic, anchovies, capers and olives, created in Naples.

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

puttanesca (noun): A cooking sauce made from tomato flavoured with garlic, anchovies, capers and olives, created in Naples.

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

American English: /ˌputəˈnɛskə/. British English: /ˌpʊtəˈnɛskə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "puttanesca"?

/ˌputəˈnɛskə/ in American English, /ˌpʊtəˈnɛskə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "puttanesca"?

“puttanesca” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌputəˈnɛskə/ 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.