Quinoa has become a staple in healthy eating, but its pronunciation still trips people up. If you've been saying "KWIN-oh-ah" or "kwi-NO-ah," you're not alone—but it's time to learn the correct way!
The Correct Pronunciation
Say it like this: KEEN-wah (2 syllables)
NOT: kwin-OH-ah ❌
NOT: kwi-NO-ah ❌
NOT: kee-NO-ah ❌
Why Is It Pronounced This Way?
Quinoa comes from the Quechua language (spoken in the Andes mountains of South America), where it was spelled "kinwa" or "kinuwa." The Spanish colonizers wrote it as "quinua" or "quinoa," but kept a pronunciation closer to the original.
So the "qu" sounds like "k" (not "kw"), and the "o" is barely pronounced.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
- KEEN /kiːn/ - Like the word "keen" (eager). Long "ee" sound.
- wah /wɑː/ - Like "wah" in "water" but shorter. Open "ah" sound.
That's it—just two syllables!
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1: Pronouncing "qu" as "kw"
❌ KWIN-oh-ah
✅ KEEN-wah
In this word, "qu" = just "k", not "kw"
Mistake #2: Making it 3 syllables
❌ kee-NO-ah
✅ KEEN-wah (only 2 syllables)
Mistake #3: Stressing the wrong syllable
❌ keen-WAH
✅ KEEN-wah (stress on first syllable)
Practice with Food Vocabulary
While we're talking about commonly mispronounced food words:
More Tricky Food Words
Quick Practice
Say these sentences aloud:
- "Would you like rice or quinoa?"
- "Quinoa is a complete protein."
- "I'm cooking quinoa for dinner tonight."
- "This quinoa salad is delicious!"
Memory Trick
Think: "I'm KEEN on WAHter" = KEEN-wah
Or just remember: it rhymes with "Tina" + "spa" → KEEN-wah
Key Takeaways
- Pronounce it KEEN-wah (2 syllables)
- The "qu" sounds like "k" (not "kw")
- Stress the first syllable
- The word comes from Quechua, a South American indigenous language
- Don't add a third syllable—the "o" is almost silent
Now you can confidently order quinoa at any restaurant!