How to pronounce ricotta
Say it like rih-KAH-tuh. Ricotta has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ricotta. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- KAH
- tuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ricotta pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ricotta
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: rih-KOT-uh.
What does ricotta mean?
- A soft Italian unsalted whey cheese resembling cottage cheese.
Where does ricotta come from?
Borrowed from Italian ricotta (literally “cooked again”), from Latin recocta.
Words that rhyme with ricotta
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ricotta.
Questions about saying ricotta
How do you pronounce ricotta?
Say rih-KAH-tuh. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈkɑtə/. In British English it is /rɪˈkɒtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ricotta?
Ricotta has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAH). Broken into parts: rih · KAH · tuh.
Is ricotta pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /rɪˈkɒtə/ (rih-KOT-uh).