Many food and restaurant terms in English come from French, Italian, or other languages, making their pronunciation unpredictable. Here's your guide to ordering like a native speaker.
French Loanwords
These words keep some French pronunciation features—especially silent letters:
Italian Words
Other International Foods
Commonly Mispronounced English Food Words
Note: It's "espresso," not "expresso"—there's no X!
Menu Terminology
Quick Reference: Common Mistakes
| Word | Wrong | Right |
|---|---|---|
| quinoa | /kwɪˈnoʊə/ | /ˈkiːnwɑː/ |
| açaí | /əˈsaɪ/ | /ɑːsɑːˈiː/ |
| gyro | /ˈɡaɪroʊ/ | /ˈjɪroʊ/ |
| bruschetta | /bruːˈʃetə/ | /bruːˈsketə/ |
| chipotle | /tʃɪˈpɑːtl/ | /tʃɪˈpoʊtleɪ/ |
| sriracha | /srɪˈrɑːtʃə/ | /sɪˈrɑːtʃə/ |
Practice: Ordering at a Restaurant
Try saying this order aloud:
"I'll start with the bruschetta and a glass of Chianti. For my entrée, I'd like the filet mignon with sautéed vegetables and gnocchi on the side. And can I see the sommelier for a wine recommendation?"