How to pronounce gelato
Say it like juh-LAH-toh. Gelato has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gelato. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- juh
- LAH
- toh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gelato pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- juhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of gelato
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: juh-LAH-toh.
What does gelato mean?
- An Italian variant of ice cream made from milk and sugar, combined with other flavorings. The ingredients are supercooled while stirring to break up ice crystals as they form.
Where does gelato come from?
Borrowed from Italian gelato (“ice cream”), from Latin gelātus, derived from gelū (“frost, chill”), ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European *gel- (“cold”).
Words that rhyme with gelato
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of gelato.
Questions about saying gelato
How do you pronounce gelato?
Say juh-LAH-toh. The American pronunciation is /dʒəˈlɑtoʊ/. In British English it is /dʒəˈlɑːtəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gelato?
Gelato has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAH). Broken into parts: juh · LAH · toh.
Is gelato pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /dʒəˈlɑːtəʊ/ (juh-LAH-toh).