A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Naan
A soft, leavened flatbread from South Asia, often baked in a tandoor oven.
naan
NAHN
/nɑn/ · NAHN
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's a popular accompaniment to curries and stews, and often mentioned in food blogs or travelogues about the region.
Where the word comes from
From Persian نان (nân), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₁n̥néh₁ti, meaning 'to spin'.
Common ways people get it wrong
- NAN This common mistake likely comes from the word 'nan' meaning grandmother in some English dialects. The vowel sound is different.
- NOON This error might occur because the spelling looks like 'noon'. Remember the vowel is like the 'a' in 'father'.
Frequently asked
How do you pronounce naan?
It's pronounced 'NAHN', with the vowel sound like the 'a' in 'father' or 'car'. The word is one syllable.
Is naan a type of bread?
Yes, naan is a leavened, oven-baked flatbread common in South Asian cuisine. It's typically made with flour, water, yeast, and sometimes yogurt or milk.
What does naan mean?
The word 'naan' originates from Persian and ultimately traces back to an ancient Indo-European root related to spinning. In Persian, it simply means 'bread'.
Is it pronounced nan or naan?
The most common pronunciation in English is 'nahn,' with a long 'a' sound. Some people do pronounce it closer to 'nan,' but 'nahn' is generally preferred.
How to pronounce naan in Hindi?
In Hindi, naan is pronounced similarly to the English 'nahn,' with a long 'a' sound and a soft 'n' at the end. The emphasis is on the first syllable.
Pronunciation of naan bread
The pronunciation of 'naan bread' is the same as 'naan' itself, which is typically 'nahn.' The word 'bread' is pronounced as usual.
Why do Americans say naan bread?
Americans often say 'naan bread' because 'naan' is understood as a type of bread. It's a common practice to add the generic term 'bread' to specific types of bread.
