A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Latte
Learn the correct American English pronunciation for this popular coffee drink, often mispronounced.
latte
lah-TAY
/lɑˈteɪ/ · la · TAY
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's a standard term in coffee culture.
Where the word comes from
The word comes from Italian 'caffè latte', meaning 'coffee milk'. It's a direct borrowing from Italian into English.
Common ways people get it wrong
- LAT-ee This is a common mistake, likely influenced by English words ending in '-ee'. Remember the Italian 'e' sound is like 'ay'.
- la-TAY-uh Adding an extra syllable is incorrect. The word has only two syllables, with the stress on the second.
Frequently asked
Is it pronounced LAH-tay or LAY-tay?
The most common and accepted pronunciation in American English is lah-TAY. The stress is on the second syllable.
Why do some people say LAT-ee?
This pronunciation might stem from English speakers unfamiliar with Italian vowel sounds, or by analogy with English words ending in '-ee'. The correct Italian 'e' sound is closer to 'ay'.
Is it a French word?
No, 'latte' is an Italian word. It directly translates to 'milk' in Italian, and in the context of coffee, it refers to a 'caffè latte'.
