The 10 most commonly mispronounced food names from acai to bruschetta – so do YOU know how to say these words?
- If you have ever struggled to pronounce food dishes, you’re not alone
- Trying to decipher a menu filled with foreign words can be daunting
- Travel company Holidu has rounded up commonly mispronounced food names
If you have ever found yourself staring at menu and avoiding ordering certain foods because you can’t pronounce them, you’re not alone.
Trying to decipher a menu filled with foreign words can be daunting, and attempting to pronounce the foods only to butcher them can leave you downright embarrassed.
Well, rental property search engine Holidu is here to help by rounding up the most commonly mispronounced food names and revealing how to say them correctly.
Researchers first collected 100 foreign foods that people often struggle to pronounce. Then, they found the search volume of each food by using key phrases such as ‘how to pronounce [food name]’, ‘[food name] pronunciation’, or ‘how do you say [food name].’
With millions of Google searches every day about how to properly pronounce these international dishes, many food fanatics have been eating certain dishes for years with no clue as to how to articulate it. Below we’ve laid out how to say the top 10 most commonly mispronounced foods.
Açaí
Coming in at first place, with 65,350 searches on how to say it each month, is the popular Brazilian berry açaí (stock image)
Coming in at first place, with 65,350 searches on how to say it each month, is the popular Brazilian berry açaí.
The small, dark berry is native to the Amazon rainforest and offers its great taste to a variety of products such as smoothies, juices, granola bars and cereal.
It has been used by the Indigenous people for centuries, but has recently gained popularity in the states.
Due to its high levels of antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats, the berry has become a beloved power fruit.
And although many people tend to indulge in the sweet fruit every morning, not everyone knows how to pronounce it correctly.
It is pronounced ‘ah-sah-ee’ with the ‘c’ in açaí pronounced like the ‘s’ in ‘simple.’
Charcuterie
The French method of preparing and assembling cured meats, cheeses, and other foods, known as charcuterie is the second most commonly mispronounced word (stock image)
The popular French method of preparing and aesthetically assembling cured meats, cheeses, and other foods, known as charcuterie is the second most commonly mispronounced word.
The beloved dish dates back to the 15th century and is now used all over the country.
Many people have even put their own spins on charcuterie boards using various foods to create their own versions.
People frequently trip over how to say this dish, with a total of 49,550 searches every month.
The proper pronunciation is ‘shaa-koo-tuh-ree.’
Gnocchi
In third place is gnocchi, which is derived from the Latin word for ‘knot’ or ‘dumpling’ (stock image)
In third place is gnocchi, which is derived from the Latin word for ‘knot’ or ‘dumpling.’
The dish is said to have been created in Italy by Roman soldiers using leftover flour, water, and cheese.
The potato dumpling is an extremely popular dish and frequently tops menus in authentic Italian restaurants.
However, many people stumble over the word itself, with over 45,000 searches each month from food fanatics begging to know how to say it.
The correct way to say the dish is ‘Naw-kee,’ with the ‘g’ at the beginning being silent.
Phở
In fourth place comes the word that is pronounced nothing like its spelt: Phở (stock image)
In fourth place comes the word that is pronounced nothing like its spelt: Phở.
The traditional Vietnamese noodle soup consists of broth, linguine-shaped rice noodles, a few herbs, and meat.
The dish was said to have been first created by a Hanoi street vendor who served it to French colonialists and then it spread throughout the country.
It now comes in many variations, including vegetarian and vegan options.
While many people think it is pronounced ‘po,’ it is actually pronounced ‘fuh.’
There seems to be a lot of confusion about the word as 22,770 people search how to say it.
Quinoa
Quinoa is the fifth hardest word to pronounce with 18,090 searches (stock image)
Quinoa is the fifth hardest word to pronounce with 18,090 searches, according to Holidu.
The grain is native to the Andean region of South America and has been cultivated for more than 5,000 years.
It has become a staple of the Incan diet due to its high nutritional content and ability to grow in challenging climates.
In recent years, the grain has gained extreme popularity and continues to be used in many dishes.
However, despite how much foodies seem to love the grain, it is often mispronounced.
It is commonly mispronounced as ‘keen-oh-ah,’ but it is actually pronounced ‘keen-wah.’
Caprese
The word caprese is number six on the list of commonly mispronounced words (stock image)
The word caprese is number six on the list of commonly mispronounced words.
The simple Italian salad is made up of sliced fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and sweet basil.
It is also seasoned with salt and olive oil.
Similarly to margherita pizza, the salad features the colors of the Italian flag: white, green, and red.
The dish is very a popular appetizer and is frequently ordered as an appetizer.
It is usually mispronounced as ‘kah-prees,’ but the correct pronunciation is ‘kuh-pray-zay.’
People have searched how to pronounce the word 11,840 times in one month.
Poke
Poke is the seventh most commonly mispronounced word, with 10,720 people searching how to correctly spell the word every month (stock image)
Poke is the seventh most commonly mispronounced word, with 10,720 people searching how to correctly spell the word every month.
The dish is popular in Hawaii and is made of chunks of raw fish flavored with sea salt and sesame oil.
It is then customized by adding either green onions, round onions, chili, kukui nut, or seaweed.
Poke has become a food favorite recently, however it is still frequently mispronounced.
The correct pronunciation is ‘poh-kay.’
Bruschetta
In eighth place is another popular Italian appetizer, bruschetta (stock image)
In eighth place is another popular Italian appetizer, bruschetta.
The dish is made from toasted garlic bread and topped with olive oil, salt, tomatoes, olives, basil, garlic, and cheese.
The toppings can vary, however, it remains a classic Italian dish.
It is served in Italian restaurants all over the country and is frequently ordered.
Although it looks easy to pronounce, it is not what it seems.
According to Holidu, ‘in Italian, the ‘ch’ always produces a ‘k’ sound so the correct pronunciation of bruschetta is actually ‘broo-skett-ah’ and there are just over 21,000 searches for this pronunciation each month.’
Crêpe
Coming in at number nine is a popular French dish, which was first created in France during the Middle Ages (stock image)
Coming in at number nine is a popular French dish, which was first created in France during the Middle Ages.
Crêpes are made from a thin batter of flour, eggs, milk, salt, and butter.
It is cooked on a hot pan and is filled with either sweet or savory ingredients.
It has become a favorite breakfast food or desert.
Crêpes have become a household dish, however, many people still trip up when saying it.
The dish is commonly mispronounced with 7,860 searches of how to say it each month.
People tend to pronounce it as ‘kr-ape,’ which is incorrect, the right pronunciation is actually ‘kr-ehp.’
Focaccia
Lastly, is another Italian appetizer or side dish, focaccia (stock image)
Lastly, is another Italian appetizer or side dish, focaccia.
It is a flat piece of oven-baked bread and has a similar texture to pizza.
It can be served as a side dish or sandwich bread. It can also be round, rectangular, or square shaped.
Focaccia has a lightweight consistency, which is similar to pizza dough.
It is an extremely popular side dish, however people still can’t say it properly, with its pronunciation being searched 7,810 times.
The bread is commonly said as ‘foh-ka-see-ah,’ but it is actually ‘fuh-kaa-chuh.’
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