How do you pronounce ‘caprese’?

To pronounce “caprese” with more detailed guidance, here’s a breakdown:

1. “ca”: This sounds like the “ca” in “cat” or “car”. The “a” is pronounced with an open, short sound (IPA: /æ/), almost like the “a” in “father.”
2. “pre”: This syllable is pronounced “pray”. The “e” here has a long “a” sound, like in “say” (IPA: /eɪ/). It’s a bit more drawn out compared to a short vowel sound.
3. “se”: This part sounds like “say”. The “e” again has the same long “a” sound as in “pre” (IPA: /eɪ/), and this syllable is pronounced softly and clearly, with no stress.

Putting it all together:

• “kah-PRAY-zay” (IPA: /kɑːˈpreɪzeɪ/)
• Emphasis is on the second syllable (“PRAY”), so you say it slightly louder and with more emphasis compared to the first and third syllables.

This is the standard Italian pronunciation used for “caprese,” which refers to a style of dish (like the Caprese salad) that typically includes tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil.