How to pronounce dente in American English
Americans pronounce dente as DEHN-tay (/ˈdɛnteɪ/). The T drops out of the cluster entirely in casual American speech. Stress falls on the first syllable — keep everything else short and quick.
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Why "dente" sounds like DEHN·tay.
In "dente", the "t" right after N is dropped — the tongue skips the T stop and moves directly from the N position to the next sound. This is called the Silent T after N, and it's one of the defining features of casual American English. It comes out as DEHN·tay.
Hear "dente" in the wild.
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Common pronunciation mistakes in American English.
The textbook way isn't wrong — it's just not how anyone actually says it.
Pronouncing the silent T after N.
In "dente", the "t" right after N is dropped — the tongue skips the T stop and moves directly from the N position to the next sound. /t/ is completely silent — the tongue skips the T stop and moves directly from the N position to the next sound.
Stressing the wrong syllable.
Stress falls on the first syllable, not the others. Stretch DEHN — keep everything else short and quick.
Questions people ask about this.
How is "dente" stressed in American English?
Is the American pronunciation of "dente" different from British English?
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