4 syllables: De, gus, ta, tion. Stress on gus.
dig-UHS-tay-shuhn
/dɪˈɡʌsteɪʃən/
Degustation is pronounced dig-UHS-tay-shuhn (/dɪˈɡʌsteɪʃən/). It has four syllables (De-gus-ta-tion), with the stress on "gus". A degustation is a curated tasting experience, typically of multiple small courses or samples, designed to explore and compare flavors, textures, and aromas. The term is often used in fine dining to emphasize a structured, exploratory approach rather than a single dish. It implies deliberate, thoughtful sampling and evaluation by the diner.
nounA degustation is a curated tasting experience, typically of multiple small courses or samples, designed to explore and compare flavors, textures, and aromas. The term is often used in fine dining to emphasize a structured, exploratory approach rather than a single dish. It implies deliberate, thoughtful sampling and evaluation by the diner.
"The restaurant offered a six-course degustation menu with wine pairings."
"During the degustation, she noted notes of citrus, vanilla, and smoke in the wines."
"The chef hosted a degustation event to showcase seasonal ingredients."
Pronounce as /dɪˌɡʌˈsteɪʃən/. Stress falls on the third syllable - the -sta- portion. Start with a light 'di' then 'goo' as in 'guttural' but shorter, then 'stay' with a clear 'ay' sound, and end with 'shən' where the 'tion' sounds like 'shn' in rapid speech. Visualize: di-GU-stay-shun. IPA helps you keep the syllable boundaries intact.
Common errors include misplacing stress (trying de-GUS-ta-tion rather than di-GUS-ta-tion) and truncating the final '-tion' as '-tion' with a strong 'n' or a silent 't'. Also, the 'gust' component can be mispronounced as 'goost' instead of 'guh-stay'. Correct by practicing the sequence: di- + GUS-TA-tion with the emphasis on TA. Keep the final syllable unstressed.
In US, the sequence di-GU-stay-shun with rhotic r is not present in this word, but you maintain a clear 'stay' diphthong; in UK, the 'a' in -ation is similar, but you may have a slightly sharper 't' release; in AU, vowel sounds tend to be broader with a slightly longer 'a' in -ation and a slower tempo overall. The core di- preface remains, while the central -gust- is stable with a short 'u' sound.
The difficulty lies in the length and rhythm of the word: three consecutive syllables before -tion, with the 'gust' cluster and the 'tion' ending that often reduces to -shn in quick speech. The shift from the 'gue-' led spirant to 'gas' sound requires precise articulation: /dɪˌɡʌˈsteɪʃən/. Practitioners often misplace the primary stress and mispronounce -ation as -tion with a hard t.
The 'g' in degustation follows a 'd' prefix, and the root 'gust-' uses a hard /g/ sound as in 'go' after the /d/ prefix cluster. So you pronounce it with a hard /g/ in the 'gust-' portion: /dɪˌɡʌˈsteɪʃən/. The following 'sta' is /stə/ and ends with /ən/ or /ən/ depending on dialect. It is not /dʒ/ here.
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Degustation comes from French degustation, from deguster ‘to taste,’ from Latin degustare, which is de- (reverse, thoroughly) + gustare ‘to taste’. The suffix -ation marks a process or action. The word entered English in the 19th century in refined culinary contexts, originally referring to a methodical tasting or tasting session. Over time, it broadened to denote a formal, multi-course tasting menu or experience, often with paired beverages. The French root degustation aligns with similar culinary terms like degustateur (taster) and degustation menu in haute cuisine discourse. The term carries connotations of discernment, articulation of flavor profiles, and gastronomic education. It is frequently used in fine dining, culinary criticism, and wine/spirits tasting contexts, where structured sensory analysis is valued as part of the dining experience. First known English usage dates to the late 1800s, with growing mainstream usage in high-end restaurants and culinary writing through the 20th and 21st centuries. Throughout its evolution, the word retained a scholarly or sophisticated nuance, distinguishing a curated tasting as an experience rather than a single bite or dish.
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Words that rhyme with "Degustation"
-ion sounds
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