How to pronounce kimchi
Say it like KIM-chee. Kimchi has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KIM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce kimchi. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KIM
- chee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kimchi pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KIMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- cheeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of kimchi
American and British speakers say kimchi in essentially the same way: /ˈkɪmtʃi/ in the US and /ˈkɪmtʃi/ in the UK.
British respelling: KIM-chee.
What does kimchi mean?
- A Korean dish made of vegetables, such as cabbage or radishes, that are salted, seasoned, and stored in sealed containers to undergo lactic acid fermentation.
Questions about saying kimchi
How do you pronounce kimchi?
Say KIM-chee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɪmtʃi/. In British English it is /ˈkɪmtʃi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kimchi?
Kimchi has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KIM). Broken into parts: KIM · chee.
Do Americans and Brits say kimchi the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkɪmtʃi/ and the British form is /ˈkɪmtʃi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.