A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Penne
Pronounce this popular pasta shape like 'PEN-ay,' with stress on the first syllable.
penne
PEN-ay
/ˈpɛn.eɪ/ · PEN · nay
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also a common word in grocery stores and when people discuss cooking at home.
Where the word comes from
The word 'penne' comes from the Italian word for 'pens' or 'quills,' referring to the shape of the pasta tubes cut at an angle.
Common ways people get it wrong
- PEN-ee This is a common mistake because many English words ending in 'e' are pronounced with an 'ee' sound. Remember, Italian loanwords often keep their original vowel sounds.
- PEN-nay While close, the stress should be on the first syllable, PEN-ay, not the second.
Frequently asked
Is penne pronounced with one syllable?
No, 'penne' is typically pronounced with two syllables: 'PEN-ay'. The stress falls on the first syllable.
Why do some people say 'pen-nee'?
This is a common mispronunciation because English speakers are used to 'e' at the end of words sounding like 'ee'. However, 'penne' is an Italian word, and the 'e' at the end retains its Italian sound.
What's the difference between penne and rigatoni?
Both are tube-shaped pastas, but penne has angled ends and smooth or ridged surfaces, while rigatoni has straight-cut ends and prominent ridges.
