A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Crepes
Pronounced like 'cray-p', a thin French pancake, not 'creeps'. Focus on the 'ay' sound.
crepes
KRAYP
/kreɪp/ · KRAYP
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
They are also a popular topic in food blogs and cooking shows.
Where the word comes from
The word 'crepe' comes from the French word 'crêpe', meaning 'curled' or 'wrinkled'. This likely derives from the Latin word 'crispus', meaning 'curled'.
Common ways people get it wrong
- kreeps This common mistake comes from the similar-looking English word 'creeps'. Remember the 'ay' sound like in 'grape'.
Frequently asked
Is it 'crepes' or 'crepes'?
The most common pronunciation in American English is 'krayp'. The French pronunciation is closer to 'krep', but 'krayp' is widely accepted.
How do you say crepes with fruit?
You still say 'krayp' when referring to crepes with fruit. For example, 'I'd like the strawberry crepes'.
Is it like 'creeps'?
No, it's not pronounced like 'creeps'. The vowel sound is different; it's an 'ay' sound, like in 'grape' or 'tape'.
How do French people say crepes?
In French, 'crêpe' is pronounced roughly as 'krep'. The accent aigu over the 'e' indicates a distinct 'ay' sound.
Why do Americans pronounce crepe as crape?
The pronunciation 'crape' for 'crepe' is a common American adaptation, likely influenced by the similar-sounding word 'crape' (a type of fabric). However, the French pronunciation is generally preferred in culinary contexts.
Why is crepe often mispronounced?
The word 'crêpe' comes from French, and its pronunciation differs from typical English phonetics. This can lead to confusion and mispronunciation by English speakers.
Is it crepe or crepe?
The original French spelling is 'crêpe,' with an accent aigu. While 'crepe' without the accent is widely understood, the accent indicates the correct French pronunciation.
