A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Mortadella
A guide to pronouncing mortadella, the Italian cured sausage, for English speakers.
mortadella
mor-tuh-DEL-uh
/mor-tuh-DEL-uh/ · mor · tuh · del · la
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also a common topic in food blogs and discussions about charcuterie boards.
Where the word comes from
The word 'mortadella' comes from the Latin 'mortarium', meaning mortar, likely referring to the pounded meat used in its preparation.
Common ways people get it wrong
- mor-tuh-DAL-uh The stress is on the 'DEL' syllable, not the final 'la'. Make sure to emphasize the middle part of the word.
- MOR-tuh-del-uh The first syllable is unstressed. It should sound more like 'mor' than 'MOR'.
Frequently asked
What is mortadella?
Mortadella is a large Italian sausage or cold cut made of finely hashed or ground heat-cured pork. It often contains cubes of pork fat and is flavored with spices.
Is mortadella spicy?
Traditional mortadella is not typically spicy, though it is flavored with various spices like black pepper, myrtle berries, and pistachios. Some modern variations might add chili.
