A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Espresso
Stop saying ex-presso. Learn the correct way to pronounce the Italian coffee staple with this quick guide.
espresso
eh-SPRESS-oh
/ɛˈsprɛsoʊ/ · es · pres · so
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It refers specifically to the concentrated coffee brewed by forcing steam through ground beans, not a general term for all coffee.
Where the word comes from
The word comes from the Italian caffè espresso, meaning pressed-out coffee, derived from the past participle of esprimere, to press out.
Common ways people get it wrong
- ex-presso This is the most common error, likely caused by confusion with the prefix ex-. Focus on the s sound at the start to fix it.
Frequently asked
Is it espresso or expresso?
It is always espresso. The x version is a common mistake that is not considered standard English.
Why do people say ex-presso?
People often associate the word with the prefix ex- or the idea of express service. However, the root word is Italian and contains no x.
Is espresso a type of bean?
No, espresso refers to the brewing method rather than the bean itself. Any coffee bean can be used to make espresso if it is ground and brewed correctly.
Is espresso pronounced espresso or expresso?
The correct pronunciation is espresso. The 'x' in 'expresso' is a common misspelling and mispronunciation.
How do Italians say espresso?
Italians pronounce espresso with a clear 's' sound, similar to the English pronunciation. The emphasis is on the second syllable: es-PRES-so.
Why do Americans say expresso?
The pronunciation 'expresso' is a common mistake in American English, likely due to a phonetic confusion with the word 'express'. However, the original Italian pronunciation is 'espresso'.
