How Do You Pronounce Kratom?

Justin Brown 13 Mar, 2020 Information 11 Hit: 3743

The term “kratom” comes from the Thai language. Thai and most people in Southeast Asia pronounce it, “kruh-TOM”.

The first syllable is pronounced “kruh”, rhyming with “duh” or “bruh”. The 2nd syllable is accented and pronounced with a rounded O, a cross between the sound of “tom” (as in tom cat) and “tome” (rhymes with “home”). 

There are two pronunciations used commonly in the United States. 

One is “KRAT-um”. The first syllable is accented, and rhymes with “cat”. The second syllable rhymes with the last syllable in “opposum”. Does the possum like the cat’s kratom?

The other, perhaps more popular pronunciation in the US is “KRAY-tum”. The first syllable rhymes with “ray” and is accented. The second syllable is the same word as the calcium pills taken for acid reflux. Kray-tum tum tum!

It’s simply a matter of dialect, good people. Let’s not fight about it. In the English speaking world, we pronounce the “S” in “Paris”, but the French do not. The British famously added a third syllable to the Japanese capital of Tokyo when rock linguists Deep Purple released their hit single, “My Woman from Tok-y-o” in 1973.

Language dispute resolution professionals suggest resolving arguments on how to pronounce “kratom” by singing “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” together in harmony while doing a synchronized tap dance.

Comments

Created On Monday, September 18, 2023 Posted By Randall Thomas Comment Link
Thank you, Justin!
Created On Friday, September 8, 2023 Posted By Peggy Comment Link
OMG IVE BEEN SAYING IT WRONG THIS WHOLE TIME
Created On Wednesday, September 6, 2023 Posted By Evan Comment Link
i say kra-tum
Created On Thursday, August 24, 2023 Posted By Grant P. Comment Link
I'm going to try to start pronouncing it like "kruh-tom"
Created On Friday, August 4, 2023 Posted By Rebecca Comment Link
You have just settled a basically 2 day debate. THANK YOU
Created On Thursday, July 27, 2023 Posted By Jacob Comment Link
Thank you so mcuh i hve heard so many different pronunciatons
Created On Tuesday, July 25, 2023 Posted By Heather Comment Link
Oh okay! That makes a lot more sense. I think I will pronounce it the way they do in Thailand and SE Asia. I feel like if there is a "correct" way to say it, that is it!
Created On Thursday, July 20, 2023 Posted By David Comment Link
thank you
Created On Monday, July 17, 2023 Posted By Howard Comment Link
so helpful! thank you for this!
Created On Thursday, July 13, 2023 Posted By Travis Pool Comment Link
oh so there's not a "correct" way to pronounce it, it's all just based on dialect?
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