A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Tamal Or Tamale
A corn dough pastry, often filled and steamed, pronounced with three syllables and a clear 'ah' sound.
tamal or tamale
tuh-MAH-lee
/təˈmɑː.li/ · tuh · MAL · ee
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also a common topic in discussions about Latin American cuisine and holiday foods.
Where the word comes from
The word 'tamale' comes from the Spanish 'tamal', which itself is derived from the Nahuatl word 'tamalli'. Nahuatl is an indigenous language spoken in central Mexico.
Common ways people get it wrong
- tuh-MAHL This common mistake often comes from treating it like a single-syllable word or shortening the ending. Remember the final 'ee' sound.
- tuh-MAY-lee Some speakers might default to an 'ay' sound for the 'a' in the stressed syllable, but the 'ah' sound is more standard.
Frequently asked
How do you pronounce tamal vs tamale?
While 'tamal' is the singular form and often pronounced with two syllables (tuh-MAHL), the more common English version 'tamale' is typically pronounced with three syllables: tuh-MAH-lee.
What is the correct pronunciation of tamale?
The most common pronunciation in American English is tuh-MAH-lee, with the stress on the second syllable. Ensure you pronounce all three syllables clearly.
Is tamale pronounced with one or two syllables?
While the original Spanish word 'tamal' might be closer to two syllables, the common English adaptation 'tamale' is usually pronounced with three: tuh-MAH-lee.
