Can you say “gouda” like a cheesemonger?
The world of cheese is an international one—and sometimes, that means that a few proper pronunciations get lost in translation when saying them in English.
According to a Google Keyword Planner data analysis report from the United Kingdom, there are 15 cheeses that are commonly mispronounced; the good news is that the folks searching for their names are looking for correct pronunciations.
“The data doesn’t just highlight popular cheeses but also how confident people feel about pronouncing them,” says a representative from British cheese company Cheese Hamper. “For instance, the 590 searches for Mascarpone show that people are keen to get it right, which speaks to the cheese’s growing presence in culinary experiences.”
Topping the list of keywords is gouda, which is pronounced as “HOW-duh” in Dutch. “Most mispronunciations come from anglicizing names that follow Dutch, French, Italian, or Spanish phonetics. If you lean slightly into the original language (without overdoing it), you’ll sound far more credible instantly,” states the report.
Browse the full ranking and the cheeses’ correct pronunciations below:
- Gouda (“HOW-duh”)
- Parmesan (“PAR-muh-zahn”—Italian: “par-mi-JAH-no”)
- Mascarpone (“mas-car-POH-nay”)
- Gruyère (“groo-YAIR”—soft “r,” slightly rolled if you’re fancy)
- Camembert (“KAM-um-bair”—the “t” is silent)
- Cheddar (“CHED-uh”—simple, finally)
- Roquefort (“ROK-for”—don’t pronounce the “t”)
- Brie (“BREE”)
- Emmental (“EM-en-tahl”)
- Manchego (“man-CHAY-go”)
Alana Pedalino
Alana Pedalino serves as Managing Editor of culture. Her work has been featured in Bon Appétit, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and more. She loves to write, cook, and kayak. Find her bylines at alanapedalino.com.
