Pronouncing Popular International Foods in English with Confidence!

Have you ever found yourself at a bakery, restaurant, or cafe in the United States, trying to order something, but the person taking your order can't understand you? Don't worry! As your English coach and teacher, I am here to help you improve your English pronunciation and communication skills. Mastering the pronunciation of popular foods will enable you to avoid misunderstandings or the classic response, "What did you say?" making sure that English native speakers understand you. In this blog post, I will guide you through the correct pronunciation of foods like croissant, crêpe, pizza, lasagna, pain au chocolat, ricotta, mozzarella, feta, and spaghetti.

Before we begin, I must apologize to Italians, French people, and Greeks in advance. Pronouncing the words for your wonderful foods correctly in English requires modifying the original pronunciation your beautiful languages, unfortunately. Now, let’s focus on improving your English pronunciation!

Croissant

Originating from France, the croissant has become a staple breakfast treat in America. To pronounce it correctly:

  • Break the word into syllables: "cruh-sahnt."

  • Begin with a soft "cruh" sound, similar to the "cr" in "crunch."

  • End with "sahnt," rhyming with "want."

Now, say it all together: "cruh-sahnt." Wonderful!

Crêpe

  • Divide the word into two parts: "krep."

  • Start with the "k" sound, as in "kite."

  • Then, follow with "a” as in rhyming with "gray."

Combine both parts: "krayp." Excellent job!

Pain au Chocolat

A French delight, "pain au chocolat" is a pastry filled with chocolate. Pronounce it like this:

  • Divide the phrase into three parts: "pan oh shoh-koh-lah."

  • Start with "pan," rhyming with "can."

  • Then, "oh" is pronounced like the letter "O."

  • Next, "shoh-koh-lah" has a soft "sh" sound, as in "shoe," followed by "koh-lah," rhyming with "la."

Say it all together: "pan oh shoh-koh-lah."

 
 

Lasagna

To say "lasagna" just right:

  • The word has three syllables: "luh-zahn-yuh."

  • Start with "luh," rhyming with "duh."

  • Continue with "zahn," similar to "pawn."

  • Finish with "yuh," rhyming with "duh."

Say it all together: "luh-zahn-yuh."

Ricotta

To pronounce "ricotta" correctly:

  • The word has three syllables: "ree-koh-tuh."

  • Start with "ree," rhyming with "tree."

  • Follow with "koh," similar to "go."

  • End with "tuh," rhyming with "duh."

Now, say it all together: "ree-koh-tuh."

Mozzarella

Another popular Italian cheese, "mozzarella," is a must-know word. Pronounce it like this:

  • The word has four syllables: "maw-t-suh-reh-luh."

  • Begin with "maw," rhyming with "saw."

  • Then, "t-suh" is pronounced as the letter "T" followed by "suh," similar to "huh."

  • Finish with "reh-luh," rhyming with "teller."

Say it all together: "maw-t-suh-reh-luh." You've got it!

 
 

Feta

A tangy Greek cheese, "feta" is a favorite in many American dishes. To pronounce it flawlessly:

  • The word has two syllables: "feh-tuh."

  • Begin with "feh," rhyming with "meh."

  • End with "tuh," rhyming with "duh."

Now, say it all together: "feh-tuh."

Spaghetti

A classic Italian pasta, "spaghetti" is loved worldwide. Pronounce it like this:

  • The word has three syllables: "spuh-get-ee."

  • Start with "spuh," rhyming with "duh."

  • Follow with "get," as in "let." Pronounce the “t” like a “d” in American English.

  • End with "ee," rhyming with "bee."

Say it all together: "spuh-get-ee."

Pizza

A worldwide favorite, pizza holds a special place in American hearts. To pronounce it perfectly:

  • The word has two syllables: "peet-zah."

  • Begin with "peet," similar to "beet" but with a "p."

  • End with "zah," rhyming with "spa."

Now, say it together: "peet-zah." Bravo!

 
 

Cultural note:

There are a number of pizza styles unique to The United States.

  • Chicago deep dish pizza is known for its thick, doughy crust, loaded with layers of cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce.

  • New Haven-style pizza, originating in Connecticut, boasts a thin crust with charred edges, topped with a simple combination of tomato sauce, clams, garlic, and grated cheese.

  • New York-style pizza features large, foldable slices with a thin crust, typically served with a classic blend of tomato sauce, mozzarella, and a variety of toppings.

  • In Washington D.C., the "jumbo slice" is popular, offering an oversized and indulgent single slice with lots of toppings.

  • Detroit-style pizza is a distinct and popular pizza style that originated in Detroit, Michigan. It features a rectangular shape with a thick, airy, and chewy crust that is crispy on the outside. The pizza is typically baked in well-seasoned square steel pans, giving it its signature shape and crispy texture. Detroit-style pizza is usually topped with sauce, cheese (often Wisconsin brick cheese or a blend of mozzarella and cheddar), and toppings that may include pepperoni, sausage, and other classic pizza ingredients.


If you want to learn more, English, U.S. culture, and intercultural communication coaching can help you succeed. Just send me an email at office@lingualinkdc.net to take the next step.

Language proficiency and cultural intelligence are your key to success.

Marike Korn