How to pronounce niente
Say it like nee-EN-tay. Niente has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (EN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce niente. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- nee
- EN
- tay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Niente pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tayKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of niente
American and British speakers say niente in essentially the same way: /niˈɛnteɪ/ in the US and /niˈɛnteɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: nee-EN-tay.
What does niente mean?
- totally silent, as a musical direction (abbreviated to n. or ∅ in sheet music)
Where does niente come from?
Borrowed from Italian niente.
Questions about saying niente
How do you pronounce niente?
Say nee-EN-tay. The American pronunciation is /niˈɛnteɪ/. In British English it is /niˈɛnteɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in niente?
Niente has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (EN). Broken into parts: nee · EN · tay.
Do Americans and Brits say niente the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /niˈɛnteɪ/ and the British form is /niˈɛnteɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.