A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Charcuterie
A French term for a shop selling prepared meats, now common on menus for meat platters.
charcuterie
shar-kyoo-tuh-ree
/shar-kyoo-tuh-ree/ · shar · kyoo · tuh · ree
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also used in food writing and discussions about artisanal food products.
Where the word comes from
The word comes from French charcuterie, meaning 'pork butcher shop' or 'the trade of a pork butcher'. It ultimately derives from the Old French word for pork, 'char'.
Common ways people get it wrong
- shar-COO-ter-ee People sometimes stress the second syllable like 'coo' or 'too', but the stress is on the first syllable and the 'u' sound is shorter.
- shar-kuh-TER-ee The third syllable is a schwa sound, like 'uh', not a strong 'ter'.
Frequently asked
What is charcuterie?
Charcuterie refers to a branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products, such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, and confit, primarily pork-based. It's also used to describe a platter featuring these items.
Is charcuterie only meat?
Traditionally, charcuterie focuses on prepared meats. However, modern charcuterie boards often include a variety of accompaniments like cheeses, bread, olives, fruits, and nuts.
How do you pronounce charcuterie?
The most common pronunciation in American English is shar-kyoo-tuh-ree. Break it down syllable by syllable: shar-kyoo-tuh-ree.
What is the correct pronunciation of charcuterie board?
The most common pronunciation in English is shar-KOO-tuh-ree. The emphasis is on the second syllable.
How do French people say charcuterie?
In French, charcuterie is pronounced sha(r)-ku-tuh-ree, with a softer 'r' sound and a more nasal vowel in the last syllable.
How to pronounce charcuterie in Spanish?
Spanish speakers often pronounce charcuterie as char-ku-TEH-ree-ah. The 'ch' is like in 'chair' and the 'r' is rolled.
What is the pronunciation of charcuterie in American English?
In American English, charcuterie is typically pronounced shar-KOO-tuh-ree. Some may also pronounce it as 'shar-cue-ter-ee'.
