A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Açaí
Pronounced ah-sah-EE, this berry from the Amazon is a popular superfood found in bowls and smoothies.
açaí
ah-sah-EE
/a.sa.ˈi/ · ah · sa · í
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also frequently mentioned in health and food news articles discussing superfoods.
Where the word comes from
The word comes from the Tupi language of Brazil, where 'açaí' means 'fruit that cries' or 'watery fruit'. This refers to the berry's high water content.
Common ways people get it wrong
- uh-SIGH This is a common mistake because 'ai' in English often makes an 'eye' sound, but here the accent mark on the 'i' indicates it's pronounced separately and stressed.
- ASS-eye This mispronunciation ignores the cedilla (ç), which makes the 'c' sound like an 's', and also misplaces the stress.
Frequently asked
How do you say açaí in Portuguese?
In Portuguese, it's pronounced roughly 'ah-sah-EE'. The cedilla under the 'c' makes it sound like an 's', and the accent on the 'i' shows it's the stressed syllable.
What does açaí taste like?
Açaí has a unique flavor that's often described as a mix between berries and dark chocolate, with a slightly earthy undertone. It's not overly sweet on its own.
Is açaí a fruit or a berry?
Botanically speaking, açaí is a drupe, which is a type of fruit. However, it's commonly referred to as a berry due to its small size and appearance.
Is it ah kye or ah sigh ee?
The most common pronunciation in English is ah-sah-EE. Some people also say ah-KYE, but this is less common.
How do you pronounce acai in Portuguese?
In Portuguese, the original language of the word, it is pronounced ah-sah-EE. The emphasis is on the final syllable.
