We’ve all been there at least once: You’re at a nice restaurant and you know exactly what you want, but you’re nervously waiting your turn to tell the server your order because… you have no idea how to pronounce the name of the dish. When they get to you, you either laugh your way through your attempt at saying it out loud, or you end up helplessly pointing to the option to try to spare yourself any more embarrassment. There are some food names that basically everyone is pronouncing all wrong.
Luckily, the internet exists, so learning how to avoid this type of foodie faux-pas in the future is super easy.
You can just google the name of the food or the dish, and find out the proper way to say it out loud! Practice a few times at home when you’re alone, and then pat yourself on the back for a job well done. And hey, don’t be too hard on yourself: food names come from all over the world, and some can be really tricky to say if you aren’t familiar with that particular language. It happens to the best of us!
Below is a list of some of the most commonly mispronounced words out there, with the way you should actually be saying them. Knowing how to say these perfectly is the most simple way to impress your friends, and anyone you’re eating with.
Check ’em out below:
1. Bruschetta
You probably say: Broo-sheh-tuh
You should say: Broo-SKET-tuh
2. Sriracha
You probably say: Sree-rah-cha
You should say: SEE-rah-cha
3. Açai
You probably say: Ah-kai
You should say: Ah-SIGH-ee
4. Espresso
You probably say: Ex-press-oh
You should say: ESS-press-oh
5. Turmeric
You probably say: Too-mer-rick
You should say: Tur-mer-ick
6. Dulce de leche
You probably say: Dul-CHE de -le-CHE
You should say: Dul-say de leh-chay
7. Gnocchi
You probably say: No-key
You should say: NYOH-key
8. Sherbet
You probably say: Sher-bert
You should say: Sher-BIT
9. Caramel
You probably say: Car-mel
You should say: Kar-ah-mhl
10. Focaccia
You probably say: Fo-ca-see-ya
You should say: Foh-kah-chuh
11. Edamame
You probably say: Ed-uh-mame
You should say: Eh-dah-MAH-meh
12. Charcuterie
You probably say: shar-choo-tuh-ree
You should say: shahr-KOO-tuh-ree.
13. Manchego
You probably say: Mahn-CHE-go
You should say: Mahn-chay-go
14. Poke
You probably say: po-kee
You should say: po-kay
15. Endive
You probably say: En-dive
You should say: On-DEEV
16. Maraschino Cherry
You probably say: Mare-uh-sheeno
You should say: Mare-uh-SKEENO
17. Gyro
You probably say: Jy-roe
You should say say: YEE-roe
18. Jicama
You probably say: Hick-uh-muh
You should say: He-ka-ma
19. Crudités
You probably say: Croo-dites
You should say: Croo-de-tay
Any other food words you’re guilty of mispronouncing?
