# How do \*you\* pronounce "forte"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 20, 2022, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765 "2022-05-20T14:53:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/41 "2022-05-20T18:46:14Z")
I say for-tay (not fort), but I do it grudgingly. Years ago, a dear friend – who was something of a wordie – used the word “**[riffle](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riffle)**” to describe flipping through a stack of papers, and/but pronounced it ‘rifle’ (with the long ‘i’ instead of the correct/preferred short ‘i’). I corrected her. She later looked it up. The next time we met, she said – very playfully, that I was right, but that I was “still an ass.” I can’t risk it with forte. I just … can’t. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/42 "2022-05-20T18:51:55Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I know it’s _fort_ , but I say _for-tay_ because nobody would understand me otherwise. +1… ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/43 "2022-05-20T18:57:57Z")
For tay for may … I mean me. And I would be among the ones to look askance/puzzled at someone pronouncing it fort. From a [past thread on niche](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-niche/738546/45). I now more often say neesh but used to exclusively say nitch, as that was how I heard it in college biology classes, exclusively. Cash. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/44 "2022-05-20T19:00:22Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > > [@Acsenray](#): > > > > _forte_ meaning “loud” is from Italian _forte_ meaning “loud.” > > > > _forte_ meaning “strength” is from French _fort_ meaning “strong.” > > And either they both stem from some Latin root that means “loud, strong, bold, emphatic”, or they jolly well should have. Yes, they both derive from Latin “fortis”. And note that “forte” in music means strong as well as loud. Fun fact, “forte” is cognate to the “berg” in “iceberg”, the “burg” in “burger”, and the “brah” in “Brahman”. [https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-European/bʰerǵʰ-](https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-European/b%CA%B0er%C7%B5%CA%B0-) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/45 "2022-05-20T19:22:51Z")
> [@Karen\_Lingel](#): > > Well, that’s interesting. Everyone pronounces “cache” as “cash”. As do I. But are you saying you pronounce “niche” as “nish”? ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/46 "2022-05-20T19:25:16Z")
Forte in Italian can have more meanings than loud, depending on [how it’s used.](https://dailyitalianwords.com/italian-word-for-strong-forte/) "_ **È più forte di me!** _ Literally it translates as _It is stronger than me!_ _ **Quella squadra è davvero forte a pallavolo.** _ = That team is really good at volleyball." ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/47 "2022-05-20T19:31:01Z")
To piggyback on my comment. Why is it accepted that it is a French word with Italian pronunciation? Is there some definitive proof? ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/48 "2022-05-20T19:32:29Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > To piggyback on my comment. > > Why is it accepted that it is a French word with Italian pronunciation? Is there some definitive proof?  > **[forte | Etymology of forte by etymonline](https://www.etymonline.com/word/forte)** > > FORTE: "strong point (of a sword blade)," earlier "fort, fortress" (see fort). Meaning "strong point of a… See origin and meaning of forte. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/49 "2022-05-20T20:30:01Z")
I pronounce it differently in different contexts. If I’m talking about a strong point or skill, I will say _/ˈfɔːteɪ/_. If I’m referring to part of my rapier, or the pepper-heavy spice mix, I will say _/fɔʁt/_, like the French _fort_ but with a terminal -t sound. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/50 "2022-05-20T20:33:55Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I know it’s _fort_ , but I say _for-tay_ because nobody would understand me otherwise. ^This. That’s why I say ‘bailiwick’ (area of operations). ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/51 "2022-05-20T20:45:23Z")
Someone should tweet /biːˈjɒns/ to ask her how she pronounces it. I feel she should have the final say here. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/52 "2022-05-20T21:06:25Z")
> [@Karen\_Lingel](#): > > Well, that’s interesting. Everyone pronounces “cache” as “cash” No they don’t! I was on a tour in Egypt and the guide asked me how to pronounce it, because she always said “cash” but once she has a client who corrected her and said it was cach-AY! Of course I reassured the guide. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/53 "2022-05-20T21:17:16Z")
> [@Karen\_Lingel](#): > > Everyone pronounces “cache” as “cash”. The existence of the potential homophone “cachet” might inhibit variation with that one. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/54 "2022-05-20T21:17:51Z")
Right, I we said “his fort was Dad Jokes” listeners would think you were saying it was his fortress, i.e. something to hide behind or in. > [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > On the off chance that’s not sarcasm, I’ve long advocated for IPA being taught in elementary schools. Too hoppy for me, I think they need to start with a lager. 😉 🤪 > [@pulykamell](#): > > For all practical purposes, the pronunciation of “forte” is “for-tay” in at least American English, because that’s how we say it here. It may originally have been “fort.” > **[Definition of FORTE](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forte#usage-1)** > > one's strong point; the part of a sword or foil blade that is between the middle and the hilt and that is the strongest part of the blade… See the full definition _In forte we have a word derived from French that in its “strong point” sense has no entirely satisfactory pronunciation. Usage writers have denigrated \ˈfȯr-ˌtā\ and \ˈfȯr-tē\ because they reflect the influence of the Italian-derived [forte entry 2](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forte#h2). Their recommended pronunciation \ˈfȯrt, however, does not exactly reflect French either: the French would write the word le fort and would pronounce it more similar to English for. So you can take your choice, knowing that someone somewhere will dislike whichever variant you choose. All are standard, however. In British English \ˈfȯ-ˌtā\ and \ˈfȯt\ predominate; \ˈfȯr-ˌtā\ and \fȯr-ˈtā\ are probably the most frequent pronunciations in American English._ > [@solost](#): > > How about “niche”? I think “neesh” is more correct but sounds too pretentious, so I say “nitch”. In Ecology, we always said _neesh_ but maybe a little weaker than the E. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/55 "2022-05-20T21:19:56Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Too hoppy for me, I think they need to start with a lager. The IPA=beer joke is passe. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/56 "2022-05-20T21:23:12Z")
Nice. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/57 "2022-05-20T21:28:52Z")
You mean I should give it a pass? Or a passAY? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/58 "2022-05-20T21:32:25Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > You mean I should give it a pass? Or a passAY?.. Well, now the joke I already made about the pronunciation of passé is also passe. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/59 "2022-05-20T23:39:47Z")
In France, Nice is pronounced neese. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765/60 "2022-05-21T00:25:47Z")
> [@Ignatz](#): > > In France, Nice is pronounced neese.  According to Will Rogers, the is no word in French for nice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-forte/964765.md?page=4)