How to pronounce ratafia
Say it like rat-uh-FEE-uh. Ratafia has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ratafia. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rat
- uh
- FEE
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ratafia pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ratGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ratafia
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: rat-uh-FEE-uh.
What does ratafia mean?
- A liqueur or cordial flavored with peach or cherry kernels, bitter almonds, or other fruits.
- A kind of biscuit made with ratafia essence and almond or apricot kernels.
Where does ratafia come from?
Borrowed from Creole French ratafia, from the Latin phrase rata fiat (conventio) (“the deal is made”), a drinking toast expression to celebrate a deal or an agreement.
Words that rhyme with ratafia
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ratafia.
Questions about saying ratafia
How do you pronounce ratafia?
Say rat-uh-FEE-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˌrætəˈfiə/. In British English it is /ˌrætəˈfiːə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ratafia?
Ratafia has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FEE). Broken into parts: rat · uh · FEE · uh.
Is ratafia pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌrætəˈfiːə/ (rat-uh-FEE-uh).