A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Miso
Pronounce 'miso' like 'me-soh' to correctly order this savory Japanese fermented soybean paste.
miso
MEE-soh
/ˈmiː.soʊ/ · MEE · soh
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also a common ingredient in marinades, dressings, and glazes for various dishes.
Where the word comes from
The word 'miso' comes from Japanese, where it literally means 'fermented beans'. It's a compound of 'mi' (beans) and 'su' (vinegar, but here referring to fermentation).
Common ways people get it wrong
- MY-soh This is likely due to confusion with words like 'miser'. Remember the 'i' sounds like the 'ee' in 'see'.
- MIZ-oh The 's' in miso is always unvoiced, like the 's' in 'hiss', not voiced like the 'z' in 'zoo'.
Frequently asked
How do you pronounce miso soup?
You pronounce it 'MEE-soh soup'. The 'miso' part is the same as the ingredient itself.
Is miso a type of bean?
Miso is a paste made from fermented soybeans, often with rice or barley. It's not just the bean itself, but a fermented product.
What does miso taste like?
Miso has a complex savory, salty, and umami flavor. The exact taste varies depending on the ingredients and fermentation time.
