A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Croissant
The classic French pastry, pronounced with a distinct 'sahnt' sound, not 'sant'.
croissant
kruh-SAHNT
/krəˈsɑnt/ · kruh · sahnt
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's a staple on menus, especially in places with French-inspired offerings.
Where the word comes from
The word 'croissant' comes from the French word for 'crescent', referring to the pastry's shape. This shape itself is often linked to historical symbolism.
Common ways people get it wrong
- kruh-SAHNT Some people pronounce the final syllable like 'sant' with a short 'a'. Remember it's a long 'ah' sound, like in 'father'.
- CROY-sant The initial 'cr' is pronounced as expected, but avoid adding a 'y' sound after the 'r'.
Frequently asked
How do you say croissant in French?
In French, it's pronounced roughly like 'kwah-SAHN'. The English pronunciation is an adaptation, but aiming for that 'sahnt' sound is key.
Is it croissant or cruh-sant?
The more common and accepted English pronunciation is 'kruh-SAHNT'. The vowel sound in the second syllable is typically a long 'ah'.
What's the difference between a croissant and a pain au chocolat?
A croissant is a plain, crescent-shaped pastry made with layered dough. A pain au chocolat is similar dough but typically rectangular and filled with chocolate.
How do French people say croissants?
In French, 'croissant' is pronounced roughly as 'kwah-sohn'. The 't' at the end is silent.
What's the proper pronunciation of croissant?
The most common pronunciation in English is 'kruh-sahnt'. However, the French pronunciation 'kwah-sohn' is also widely accepted.
Is T silent in croissant?
Yes, the 't' at the end of 'croissant' is silent in the original French pronunciation. In English, it is sometimes pronounced, but often remains silent.
How do British say croissant?
British English speakers often pronounce 'croissant' as 'kruh-sahnt', similar to American English, though some may adopt the French 'kwah-sohn'.
