20 Food Names Singaporeans Commonly Mispronounce

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Mispronounced Food Names

You may be perplexed by some of the seemingly easy words on this list, but I’ve heard enough locals massacre them to include it. So check out this handy list of 20 food names Singaporeans commonly mispronounce – you’ll never get them wrong again.

1. A C A I

Does anyone remember a local 80′s children’s book titled The Adventures of Constable Acai? Well this tiny, dark purple berry – filled with antioxidants, by the way – is not pronounced the same way. You can call it “ah-sah-EE” or “ah-sai-EE” – both are acceptable.

Not: Ah chai or ah kai

2. A L M O N D

“A-ha!” you say, “The L is silent here too right?” Since we speak British english, yes. So the nut is pronounced “AH-muhnd”. Americans say “ALL-muhnd”, but still without emphasising the L.

Not: El-muhnd

Baguette

3. B A G U E T T E

Theres not much that beats slapping on some good butter and jam on slices of freshly-baked “bah-GET”.

Not: Bah-gwet or Beh-gwet

4. B O U I L L A B A I S S E

A word that is as tricky to spell as it is to say. But the hearty traditional French fish stew is pronounced “BOO-yuh-bays”.

Not: Bui-lah-base.

Charcuterie

5. C H A R C U T E R I E

It can refer to the art of preserving meats (primarily pork) – think ham, sausages, pates and more – or the delicatessens and stores which sell such products. At a restaurant, you can ask for a “shahr-KOO-tuh-ree” platter, typically as an appetiser, for a selection of salty, cured delights.

Not: Char-koo-tuh-ree

6. C H I P O T L E

Confidently tell the Subway sandwich artist you’d like the “chi-POAT-lay” sauce – no more wussing out and requesting for the, “Southwest sauce, please.”

Not: Chi-pot-uhl

7. C O G N A C

“KON-yak” is a variety of brandy originating from the town of (surprise, surprise) Cognac in France.

Not: For the love of humanity, do not pronounce the G and call it “kog-nack”, or put the N in front of the G and turn it into “kong-nac” – apparently it happens.

Espresso

8. E S P R E S S O

This little shot of caffeine is what some people need to kickstart their day. Say it as you see it: “Es-PRESS-oh”.

Not: Ex-press-soh. There is no X!

9. J A L A P E N O

A pepper originating from Mexico that is often eaten while still green, instead of when it is a fully-ripe red. As the word is of Spanish origin, the J is silent. If you’re not one for spicy food, then stay away from the “HA-luh-payn-yo”.

Not: Jah-luh-pen-oh

10. LASAGNA

The next time you want a dish of layered pasta smothered in sauce, tell the waiter you’ll have the “lah-ZAH-nyah”.

Not: Lah-sahg-nyuh. Like with cognac, don’t pronounce the G.

Lettuce

11. L E T T U C E

There are so many kinds – from butterhead to romaine to oak leaf and even watercress (yes, it is a type of aquatically-grown lettuce). Say “LET-tis”.

Not: Let-yoos

Antoinette Macarons

12. M A C A R O N

These colourful little pastries got Singaporeans in a tizzy not too long ago. Again, you say it as you see it: “Mack-uh-RON”. Please stop confusing it with another treat of a similar name, the macaroon – a chewy cookie made with shredded coconuts.

Not: Mack-uh-ROON

Pho

13. P H O

It’s tempting to say it as it is spelled, but this traditional Vietnamese rice noodle dish is called “fuh”.

Not: Foh

14. P O M F R E T

Steamed or fried, this tender and light-tasting fish is a favourite at home-cooked family dinners. If, like me, you’re already getting a craving, head to your local wet market to buy a “POM-fruht”.

Not: Prom-fruht. Where in the world did the R come from?

The League of Honest Coffee

15. Q U E S A D I L L A

A Mexican would probably die a little inside every time they heard a Singaporean order this tortilla (tor-tee-yah) dish. But they should forgive you – it’s a crafty one. The right way to pronounce this is “kay-suh-DEE-ah”. Tip: Remember how to sing Que Sera Sera and you’ll remember how to start this word right.

Not: Kweh-sah-dee-lah, keh-sah-dee-lah, kweh-sah-dee-yah…

16. Q U I N O A

This healthy protein-filled grain pretty much always ends up on such lists simply because it’s a real mind-boggler. The right way to say it is “KEEN-wah”.

Not: Kween-no-ah or kee-no-ah

Sashimi Salmon

17. S A L M O N

Anyone who is a fan of sashimi should know this omega-3-laden fish, but have you been calling it the right name? The L is silent, so you would say “SEH-muhn”. The first half of the word rhymes with “air”.

Not: Sell-muhn

Spaghetti

18. S P A G H E T T I

The intonation is often stressed at the wrong place with this word. The popular Italian noodle is called “spuh-GEHT-tee”.

Not: SPAG-uh-tee

19. S T A R  A N I S E

This easily recognised star-shaped herb is often used in local Chinese-style dishes (think Bak Kut Teh and Soy Sauce Pork Belly!) to add a mild, sweet, licorice-like flavour. Say “AN-iss”.

Not: A niece

20. T U R M E R I C

A popular spice that adds a deep yellow colour and a peppery, spicy tone to our favourite Indian dishes. People often forget that there is an R after the U in “TER-muh-rik”.

Not: Tyoo-muh-rik or too-muh-rik

Sushi Breakfast

21. J A P A N E S E ( B O N U S )

Please, NOT: Juh-pen-ees

Okay, okay. So this is not exactly a food word, but given how popular omakase, yakitori, ramen and sashimi is here, it is appalling how people still can’t say “jap-uh-NEES” right.

Come on, they gave us such a fine cuisine and we call them something that kinda sounds like a private part? Repeat after me: “JUH-pen-ees” – wrong; “Jap-uh-NEES” – right. Okay? Arigato.

Tip: You can check pronunciations with an online dictionary. The sub-editors I used to work with recommend www.oxforddictionaries.com for British english spelling and pronunciations.

So, what other food names do you think Singaporeans tend to say wrong?

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought. If you want to make a friend, share travel tips and advice, or even to discuss deeply about life, write to her at [email protected]