3 syllables: De, mi, tasse. Stress on tasse.
dem-it-AS
/ˌdɛmɪˈtæs/
Demitasse is pronounced dem-it-AS (/ˌdɛmɪˈtæs/). It has three syllables (De-mi-tasse), with the stress on "tasse". Demitasse is a small cup used for serving espresso, typically part of a formal coffee service. The term originates from French, literally meaning “half cup.” In modern usage it refers to a petite cup and saucer set that holds about 2-3 ounces of liquid, often accompanied by a small spoon. It carries a refined, culinary context rather than everyday beverage terminology.
nounDemitasse is a small cup used for serving espresso, typically part of a formal coffee service. The term originates from French, literally meaning “half cup.” In modern usage it refers to a petite cup and saucer set that holds about 2-3 ounces of liquid, often accompanied by a small spoon. It carries a refined, culinary context rather than everyday beverage terminology.
- 4: You may misplace the stress, saying de-MI-tasse; keep stress on DEM. - Rush: Speaking too quickly makes vowels blur; slow to DEM-i-tass and crisp final s. - Final s snag: Final -s can be voiced; ensure you keep voiceless /s/. - Vowel length: The middle /ɪ/ should be short; avoid /iː/ or /i/ prolonged vowel. - नहीं: silent letters aren’t silent; pronounce the final -e as a short -æ sound before /s/.
"She offered a demitasse of strong espresso after dinner."
"The café displayed elegant porcelain demitasses for tasting flights."
"He collected vintage demitasses from French markets."
pronunciation is de-MEE-tass or de-MI-tass depending on speaker. IPA US: /ˈdɛmɪˌtæs/; UK/AU often use /ˈdɛmɪˌtæs/. Primary stress on the first syllable, secondary on the second. Tip: say “DEM” clearly, then a light “ih” or “i” before the final “tass.” Visualize the final consonant as a crisp, short -s to avoid a drawn-out -tase. Audio resources: you can listen to NPR or Cambridge pronunciation demos tagged /ˈdɛmɪˌtæs/.
Common errors include pronouncing it as dee-MI-tahs or deh-MEE-tahs, elongating the final syllable, or ignoring the final -e consonant cluster. Correct it by stressing the first syllable DEM, keeping the middle vowel short (ĭ), and ending with a crisp -tæs rather than -tase. Ensure the final -s is voiceless and not nasal. Practice saying /ˈdɛmɪˌtæs/ with a quick release on the final -s.
In US, you’ll hear /ˈdɛmɪˌtæs/ with the rhotic R not involved; the first vowel is a short e, sounds like “dem.” UK/AU tend to preserve the same syllable count but with slightly crisper final s; some speakers may ge it a marginally higher front vowel in the first syllable, sounding more like /ˈdɛmɪˌtɑːs/ in some casual UK speech. The center mouth position remains similar; the main differences lie in vowel quality and final -tæs vs -tase.
Two main challenges: the multi-syllabic rhythm and the final -tæs cluster. The first syllable DEM requires a quick but precise /e/ vs /ɛ/ differentiation; then the unstressed -i- in the second syllable demands a light, clipped vowel. Finally, the -tæs demands a crisp voiceless /s/ after a flick of the tongue from /t/. To master it, practice the sequence DEM-i-tass with steady tempo and a crisp, short final s.
This word exemplifies French loanword adaptation in English: demi- meaning half and tasse meaning cup. You’ll often hear it in refined dining contexts; the pronunciation carries an elegant cadence that aligns with other borrowed terms like demi-glace or demi-tasse. When searching, you may see quick references to /ˈdɛmɪˌtæs/ as the reliable form, though some regional speakers may glide vowels slightly.
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- US: rhotic environment doesn’t affect Demitasse; focus on short /e/ vowel in DEM; keep final s crisp. - UK: crisper terminal consonant; slightly closer /æ/ quality in /tæs/. - AU: similar to UK but with slightly broader vowels; keep the same rhythm, ensure non-rhotic clarity in connected speech. IPA references: /ˈdɛmɪˌtæs/ across all three. - Note: Intervocalic linking is common in fast speech; you may hear /ˈdɛmɪtæːs/ in rapid phrases, but standard form is /ˈdɛmɪˌtæs/.
Demitasse comes from the French phrase demitasse meaning ‘half cup,’ mirroring the size of the cup used for serving espresso. The word emerges from the combination of demi- ‘half’ and tasse, ‘cup’ (from Italian tazza). In English, it entered culinary vocabulary in the 19th or early 20th century as Western coffee culture adopted smaller, more refined cups for concentrated coffees like espresso and Turkish coffee. The term reflects a borrowed culinary naming convention that preserves the French influence on European dining aesthetics. First known uses in English literature appear in service catalogs and French-inspired dining etiquette guides, where elegant, portion-controlled serving ware signified sophistication and hospitality. Over time, demitasse became a standard term in households, cafés, and restaurants in anglophone regions, increasingly associated with espresso culture, tasting menus, and boutique coffee experiences. The evolution mirrors broader shifts toward intimate, ritualized coffee drinking and the adoption of francophone culinary vocabulary in the global English lexicon. In contemporary use, demitasse denotes a specific cup size and set, often triggering expectations of premium coffee service rather than generic self-serve mugs.
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Words that rhyme with "Demitasse"
-ass sounds
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