As far as languages are concerned, English is a bit of a mutt. Over the years, it's borrowed and stolen from countless other tongues from all over the world, making it one of the most diverse languages on the planet. However, all those different words have also been rather difficult to pronounce at times, and even though we have our own rules for pronunciation, they seem like they were created to be broken. It's no wonder so many native English speakers have trouble saying many words in our own language!
Even though spelling and pronunciation might seem like they shouldn't be that hard, we've seen before that many "easy" concepts, such as these elementary-school-level math problems, are often much more difficult than we initially think. And being as English pretty much laughs in the face of guidelines and rules when it comes to pronunciation, it's no wonder that so many of us mess up when we try to say some ordinary words. In fact, sometimes I feel just like this adorable little boy who has a hard time saying "banana!" It just makes me that much more impressed when I hear people speaking English as their second language.
If you think that you're a pronunciation guru, check out these commonly mispronounced words and see if you know how to say them. I thought I was doing great… until I realized that I've been pronouncing #10 wrong whenever I order it from my favorite restaurant. Oops!
Don't forget to SHARE these tricky words with all your friends so they don't make these mistakes!
1. Gyro
Wrong: JAI-roe
Right: YEE-roe
"Yomyomyom" is also an acceptable pronunciation if you have your mouth full.
2. Espresso
Wrong: ex-PRESS-o
Right: es-PRESS-o
Being hyped-up on caffeine is no excuse to add an "x" where there should be an "s."
3. Sherbet
Wrong: SHER-burt
Right: SHER-bit
I don't know at what point the incorrect pronunciation of this word became nearly universal, but it sure has stuck.
4. Niche
Wrong: NITCH
Right: NEESH
Just think of Sean Connery's niches and nephewsh.
5. Açaí
Wrong: a-KAI, a-SAI, a-SAY
Right: a-sa-EE
All those accent marks made it this word confusing to pronounce if you aren't familiar with Portuguese, but since this berry is from Brazil, it's only right to stick with their pronunciation.
6. Wheelbarrow
Wrong: WEEL-bare-el
Right: WEEL-bar-o
Fun fact: a "barrow" is the mound of earth and rocks you put over a grave. The name of this object comes not from the idea that it's a barrel on wheels, but the idea that you're wheeling barrow around.
7. Quinoa
Wrong: ki-NO-a; QUI-no-a; kee-NO-a
Right: KEEN-wa
Why is it that so many "super foods" are also super-hard to pronounce?
8. Celtic
Wrong: SELL-tik
Right: KEL-tik
To be fair, both of these pronunciations are acceptable due to how language has evolved, but since the Welsh and Irish "c" sounds like our "k," one way is "more correct" than the other.
9. Antarctica
Wrong: ant-AR-tik-a
Right: ant-ARC-tik-a
Can you "c" the difference?
10. Bruschetta
Wrong: bru-SHET-a
Right: bru-SKET-a
If you really want to sound Italian while ordering this appetizer, roll the "r" and say, "bru-SKAY-tah."
11. Cavalry
Wrong: CAL-var-y
Right: CAV-al-ry
It sure is tempting to switch the placing for that "l," isn't it?
12. Forte
Wrong: FOR-tay
Right: FORT
Unless you're speaking Italian, the "e" should remain silent.
13. Corps
Wrong: KORPS
Right: KORE
Never again get strange looks from friends when you say you have a buddy in the "Marine Corpse."
14. Realtor
Wrong: REE-la-ter
Right: REEL-ter
Yes, this is the real way to pronounce this tricky word.
15. Edamame
Wrong: EH-da-mame
Right: eh-da-MA-mee
You can always stay on the safe side and just say "boiled soybeans."
16. Gnocchi
Wrong: g-NAH-chee; NAH-chee; g-NAH-kee
Right: NYO-kee; NO-kee
There are a few acceptable pronunciations for this word, but the most Americanized version is NO-kee.
17. Cache
Wrong: ka-SHAY
Right: KASH
Sure, the incorrect version sounds fancier, but there's no reason to bother with the extra syllable.
18. Prostrate
Wrong: PRAH-state
Right: PRAH-strate
One of them is part of the male anatomy. The other is a way to lay down. Don't mix them up.
19. Hyperbole
Wrong: HY-per-bowl
Right: hy-PER-bol-ee
No, a hyperbole isn't an exaggerated version of the Super Bowl.
20. Et cetera
Wrong: ek-SET-chra
Right: et-SET-er-a
Make sure you tell this one to all your friends, family, coworkers, et cetera.
21. Nuclear
Wrong: NU-kyu-ler
Right: NU-klee-er
This one was made famous by George W. Bush himself.
Make sure you SHARE these words with all your friends so they know how to say them properly!
