20 commonly mispronounced foods (and how to say them correctly)

Sometimes, seemingly simple food names like caramel and almond still get mispronounced. Add the more complex ones (think French food), and you'll be really in for some head-scratching in front of a waiter.

With our handy guide here, you can learn the right way of pronouncing many commonly mispronounced food items. Let's begin!

1. Salmon

This superfood loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids is probably one of the most mispronounced food names in Singapore.

Wrong – Sel-muhn

Right – SEH-muhn

2. Bruschetta

Bruschetta are those delicious crispy little Italian toasts with assorted toppings. However, many people don’t get the pronunciation right.

Wrong – Broo-SHEH-tah

Right – Broo-SKEH-tah

3. Caramel

We’re sure you’ve had caramel in its many forms: sticky topping, chewy candy and delicious pudding.

Anything with caramel is lovely, but here’s the right way of pronouncing it.

Wrong – KAR-mehl

Right – Kar-AH-mehl

4. Croissant

Who doesn’t love a freshly baked flaky croissant? But this buttery baked delight is often mispronounced as well.

Wrong – KROI-sawnt

Right – KWAH-sahn, KWAH-sawn, KRUH-sahnt

5. Crudités

Crudités are a traditional French appetiser which usually consists of raw vegetable sticks elegantly laid out with a dip in the middle. Crudités are a party favourite, so it’s best to know how to say it correctly.

Wrong – Kroo-dait-s

Right – Kroo-dee-TAY

6. Foie gras

Foie gras is all the rage on fancy French restaurant menus. If you like to try this when you are fine-dining, here’s how to say it correctly.

Wrong – For-ee-GRASS

Right – FWAH-GRAH

7. Hummus

There are some amazing Middle Eastern restaurants here in Singapore. Hummus, which is a savoury, creamy dip made out of pureed chickpeas, is a common feature on the menus of these restaurants.

However many people tend to mispronounce it. Here’s how to say it correctly.

Wrong – HAAHM-uhs

Right – HOOM-uhs

8. Macarons

Have you tried the luxurious French macarons available at speciality shops like Ladurée?

If you have, you know that they are to die for! But did you know that many people mistake a macaron for another baked cookie called the macaroon? Here’s the right way of saying macaron.

Wrong – Mack-uh-ROON

Right – Mack-uh-RON

9. Mascarpone

Mascarpone is a type of Italian cheese that is used for desserts like tiramisu. However, not a lot of people get to pronounce it correctly.

Wrong – mas-krah-POAN

Right – mas-kar-POH-nay

10. Almond

How do you order your favourite almond milk from the Kopitiam uncle? Are you guilty of pronouncing this popular and nutritious nut wrong?

Wrong – AL-muhnd

Right – AH-mund

11. Parmesan

We all like extra parmesan cheese on our pizza, pasta, Ceaser salad and well, everything else. Next time you want extra parmesan, say it confidently without having to mumble the word.

Wrong – Pahr-mey-sahn

Right – Pahr-MUH-zahn

12. Vinaigrette

Do you always choose the unhealthy creamy dressing just because you are not sure how to pronounce the healthier option – vinaigrette? Here’s how!

Wrong – Vi-ni-GAR-ret

Right – vihn-uh-GHRET

13. Worcestershire

Ah-ha! This is admittedly a tough one. However, it's not just regular folks who struggle with saying Worcestershire. Many celebrity chefs such as Rachel Ray get tongue-tied when saying this tangy sauce’s name.

Wrong – War-Chest-er-shy-er, or really, all other ways this can be said wrong!

Right – WOOS-tuhr-shuhr

14. Espresso

Get your "buzz" with this small but strong shot of coffee in the morning. However, this is another word that is commonly mispronounced. For this, you need to say it how you see it.

Wrong – EX-press-oh

Right – ES-press-oh

15. Turmeric

This vibrant yellow spice, which has many health benefits, is very commonly found in Indian, Thai and Balinese food. Here’s how to say it right.

Wrong – Tyoo-muh-rik or TOO-muh-rik

Right – TER-muh-rik

16. Jalapeño

Do you always want extra jalapeños in your wrap at Subway but always have to say it twice just to be understood? Fret not, here’s the right way of saying it.

Wrong – JAH-luh-pen-oh

Right – HA-luh-payn-yo

17. Salad Niçoise

We all love a healthy and nutritious salad. But not so much when it is harder to pronounce than to make! Here’s the right way of saying this salad, which is loaded with fibre from beans, protein and omega 3 fatty acids.

Wrong – Nee-KOYS

Right – Nee-SWAHZ

18. Lettuce

Here’s another very commonly mispronounced food item. It will help to know the right way of saying this leaf, given the fact that it's the most common component of a light and healthy salad!

Wrong – Let-YOOS

Right – Let-TIS

19. Quesadilla, Tortilla and Paella

Do you just adore Mexican or Spanish food? The word quesadilla faces the same problem tortilla and paella face – they are constantly mispronounced. Here’s the right way of saying these.

Wrong – Kweh-sah-dee-lah, Tor-til-Lah, Pa-el-lah

Right – Kay-suh-dee-AH, Tor-tee-AH, Pa-eh-YAH

20. Quinoa

Everybody is following the super-healthy quinoa trend at the moment. It’s better that you learn the right way of pronouncing this superfood, as it is here to stay.

Wrong – KWEE-no-ah

Right – KEEN-wah

Written by

Minoli Almeida

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