A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Quinoa
Learn the correct way to say quinoa, the popular Andean grain, so you can order it confidently at any restaurant.
quinoa
KEE-wah
/ˈkiːnwɑː/ · qui · noa
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It is a staple of modern plant-based diets and is frequently discussed in health and nutrition segments on news programs.
Where the word comes from
The word comes from the Quechua language, specifically the term kinwa, which refers to the plant native to the Andes.
Common ways people get it wrong
- kwin-OH-ah People often guess the pronunciation based on the spelling, but the 'ui' is not a 'win' sound; treat the 'u' as silent.
- KWEE-no-ah This adds an extra syllable that doesn't exist in the standard pronunciation; keep it to two distinct beats.
Frequently asked
Is it pronounced keen-wah or kwin-oh-ah?
The correct pronunciation is keen-wah. The spelling is deceptive because it follows Spanish orthography rather than English phonetics.
Why is quinoa pronounced differently than it looks?
The word is a loanword from Quechua via Spanish. English speakers often struggle with it because we try to apply English vowel rules to a word that does not follow them.
Is quinoa a grain or a seed?
Botanically, quinoa is a seed, though it is prepared and consumed as a grain. It is often referred to as a pseudocereal because of its nutritional profile.
How do natives pronounce quinoa?
Native speakers in the Andes, where quinoa originates, typically pronounce it as 'keen-wah'.
What language is quinoa from?
The word 'quinoa' comes from the Quechua language, spoken by indigenous people in the Andes.
How do British people say quinoa?
In the UK, 'quinoa' is commonly pronounced as 'keen-wah', similar to the native pronunciation.
How do Americans say quinoa?
In the United States, 'quinoa' is often pronounced as 'keen-wah', though 'kwin-oh-ah' is also heard.
