Parmigiano Pronunciation - Italian Pronunciation + Audio

Last updated on June 22nd, 2024

Are you uneasy about Parmigiano pronunciation? Are you horrified at the idea of coming to Italy and botching their romantic language? Maybe you are looking to impress your Italian mother-in-law with your knowledge of Italian food?

I was this way too! I grew up in a classic American household eating Italian-American food and mispronouncing Parmigiano my whole life. We actually didn’t even call it Parmigiano but rather, parmesan. Now that I have been in Italy and been eating real Parmigiano Reggiano since I landed in Florence over ten years ago, I am an addict. My Italian family goes through a whole wedge on a weekly basis – we put it on everything!

Parmigiano is one of Italy’s harder foods to pronounce but fear not with my in-depth guide complete with audio. You will have the Parmigiano pronunciation down in no time and impress any Italian!

Jump to Section

How To Say Parmigiano

Close up of stacked large wheels of parmigiano reggiano cheese.

Parmesan is called Parmigiano Reggiano or just Parmigiano, for short in Italian. Parmigiano Reggiano and parmigiano are the same thing.

How To Pronounce Parmigiano In Italian

side view of large pots on floor with a cheese mixture to make parmesan controlled by various pillars connected to computers on a beige brick flood at an angled view — When I visited A Parmigiano Reggiano factory in Emilia Romagna, we saw the process from start to finish.

Parmigiano in Italian is pronounced pahr-mee-JAH-noh in Italian.

Listen to the pronunciation of Parmigiano here:

Parmiggiano Reggiano is pronounced pahr-mee-JAH-noh rehj-JAH-noh in Italian

Listen to the pronunciation of Parmigiano Reggiano here:

Learn More: Learn even more about Italian food pronunciation 36 Most Commonly Mispronounced Italian Foods – Speak like an Italian 101.

Phrases With Parmigiano In Italian

wheels of parmesan cheese stacked on top of each other being aged in a storeroom piled high to the ceiling.

Here are some examples of where you might need to use the word Parmigiano in Italian:

Potrei avere un po’ di Parmigiano per la pasta, per favore?
“May I please have a bit of parmesan for the pasta?”

Dove posso comprare il Parmigiano reggiano stagionato per 12 mesi?
“Where can I buy 12 month aged parmesan?”

C’è Parmigiano nel risotto? Sono vegana.
“Is there Parmigiano in the risotto? I am vegan.”

Per quanto tempo è stagionato questo Parmigiano Reggiano?
“How long is this Parmigiano aged?”

Hai aggiunto la crosta del Parmigiano in questa minestrone? È buonissimo!
“Did you add the Parmigiano rind in this minestrone soup? It’s delicious!”

How Not To Pronounce Parmigiano

top view close up of a white plate with carbonara spaghetti topped with cheese on a marble background

There are several ways that people mistakenly pronounce Parmigiano, including

par-mee-ZAN-oh
par-mee-zee-ah-noh

Parmigiano Vs Parmesan

Person cutting parmigiano reggiano. There are two wedges sitting on a wheel of cheese in front of the person.

Parmigiano is a certified aged, cow’s milk cheese from Emilia Romagna in Italy that has been made in accordance with strict laws and regulations.

Parmesan is essentially an imitation Parmigiano. It might be made from cow’s milk, aged for long periods but does not adhere to the same geographic restrictions and laws of production that real Parmigiano does.

Parmigiano Reggiano has a much deeper, rich flavor compared to parmesan. It’s more buttery and nuttier because of the long aging process. Parmigiano Reggiano can be aged anywhere from 12 months to upward of 36 while parmesan is aged for a much shorter period.

To learn more about Italian cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano in particular, read Italian Cheese – All You Need To Know Before Coming to Italy.

Fact: Although parmesan is the correct English translation of Parmigiano Reggiano, a cheese must be from Emilia Romagna to be labeled Parmigiano Reggiano. If it’s labeled parmesan, it’s an imitation Parmigiano that does not follow the same traditional recipe and method of production.

Italian Recipes Using Parmigiano Reggiano

Top view of a parmesan rind sitting in a pot of risotto. There is a spoon sitting on the pot and it's on a white marble surface.

So much of Italian cooking incorporates Parmigiano Reggiano and is even a popular snack, aperitivo item and even enjoyed for dessert with sweet wines.

These are some of Italy’s most popular recipes using Parmigiano:

Risotto (any kind)
Lasagne
Carbonara
Parmigiano crackers
Polpette – meatballs
Sformato – savory flan
Frittata – Italian omelet
Pesto

And of course, Italians add Parmigiano to about any pasta sauce or dish. For more about eating cheese with pasta in Italy, read Is it Illegal to Break Pasta in Italy? + Quick Guide to Italian Pasta Etiquette.

Good To Know: Parmigiano Reggiano is always capitalized because it’s a proper noun. Parmesan is not.

Parmigiano Pronunciation In Italian FAQ

Are Parmesan and Parmigiano the same?

Parmesan is the English translation of the Italian cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, but if you see a cheese labeled “parmesan”, it’s an imitation Parmigiano, not the authentic version from Italy.

Is Parmigiano from Italy?

Yes, Parmigiano is from Italy, specifically from Emilia Romagnia. Parmigiano Reggiano is made according to strict laws and geographic regulations so any cheese that is labeled Parmigiano Reggiano must be made on Italian soil.

Is Parmigiano better than Parmesan?

Most people can agree that Parmigiano Reggiano is much more prized and complex than imitation parmesan. This is because Parmigiano Reggiano is made according to a very old, traditional recipe with a specific method of production. Each wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano goes through a series of strict checks to ensure top quality.