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How To Pronounce Common Mexican Foods

From Judy Hedding,
Your Guide to Phoenix.
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When you come to Phoenix, you have to eat Mexican food, but there are certain words that are tough to pronounce. If you say these correctly, everyone will surely think you're a native Arizonan, or at least that you eat like one!
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Not too long

Here's How:

  1. jalapeño - a hot pepper. Pronounced: holl-uh-pehn-yo
  2. albondigas - a meatball soup. Pronounced: al-bon-dee-gus
  3. pico de gallo - a chunky salsa. Pronounced: peek-oh duh-guy-oh
  4. pollo - chicken. Pronounced: poy-oh
  5. tortilla - a very thin, flat Mexican pancake-type bread. Pronounced: tor-tee-ya
  6. picante - a red spicy sauce. Pronounced: pee-con-tay
  7. cerveza - beer. Pronounced: serv-ay-suh
  8. guacamole - a condiment made from avocados. Pronounced: gwahk-a-mole-ee
  9. fajitas - onions, peppers and meats sauteed and usually presented with cheese, beans, salsa, guacamole and tortillas. Pronounced: fuh-heet-uhs
  10. frijoles - beans. Pronounced: free-ho-lays
  11. quesadilla - very thin crust with cheese melted on top and sometimes other items like a Mexican pizza. Pronounced: cay-suh-dee-yuh
  12. habanero - a very hot pepper. Pronounced: ah-bahn-air-oh

Tips:

  1. If the words have Spanish influence, as many do in Arizona, a "J" or a "G" is usually pronounced like an "H". An "LL" is usually pronounced like a "Y".
  2. Pointing to the menu item is often easier than pronouncing it.
  3. The words 'jalapeno', 'habanero', 'Ay! Ay! Hot!' or a graphic of a red pepper means your meal is bound to be spicy. Have water handy!
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