Imagine walking into a fancy restaurant and being seated at the best table. The waiter hands you a menu--and it is filled with words you can't pronounce!

You can try to guess the pronunciation of these menu items, but you don't want to embarrass yourself. Now you realize you should have paid more attention to those cooking shows you watch when nothing else interesting is showing.

If this scenario gives you anxiety, then you should know that it is smart to arm yourself with proper pronunciation, especially when it comes to food! So here are some commonly mispronounced food items that you can practice enunciating before you head off to a restaurant.

1. Bruschetta - BROOS-ke-ta

A bruschetta is an Italian appetizer made with grilled bread, garlic, olive oil, and toppings.

2. Salad Niçoise - SA-lad NEE-swazz

This salad originated in Nice, France.

3. Vichyssoise - vi-shi-SWAZZ

A vichysoisse is a thick soup made of boiled pureed leeks, onions, potatoes, cream, and chicken.

4. Chipotle - chip-OAT-lay

A chipotle is a smoked hot chili pepper commonly found in Mexican food.

5. Bouillabaisse - BOOL-yuh-BAYZ

A bouillabaisse is a traditional Provençal fish stew from Marseille.

6. Ciabatta - cha-BATA

A ciabatta is an Italian white bread.

7. Etouffee - ay-too-FAY

This is a Cajun-Creole dish served with shellfish over rice.

8. Pho - fuh

This is a very popular Vietnamese noodle soup.

9. Spaetzle - SCHPETS-luh

This is a soft egg noodle found in German and Austrian cuisine.

10. Caipirinha - KAI-pi-rin-ya

This is Brazil's national cocktail, which is made with cachaca, sugar, and lime.

We know some of these pronunciations are tricky, but all it takes is a little practice to get it all down pat! But if you need a little more help with ordering food, why not schedule a Learntalk lesson on how to do exactly that?

Supplement your new pronunciation skills with what you should say or do when you’re at a restaurant!

Your first lesson with us is completely free! No charges needed. Get a free trial lesson now. Try Now For Free