How to pronounce sauerkraut
Say it like SOW-er-krowt. Sauerkraut has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sauerkraut. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SOW
- er
- krowt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sauerkraut pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SOWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- krowtGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of sauerkraut
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SOW-uh-krowt.
What does sauerkraut mean?
- A dish made by fermenting finely chopped cabbage.
Where does sauerkraut come from?
Borrowed into English around 1600 from German Sauerkraut, from sauer (“sour, acidic, spoiled”) + Kraut (“herb; cabbage”).
Questions about saying sauerkraut
How do you pronounce sauerkraut?
Say SOW-er-krowt. The American pronunciation is /ˈsaʊɚˌkraʊt/. In British English it is /ˈsaʊəˌkraʊt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sauerkraut?
Sauerkraut has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOW). Broken into parts: SOW · er · krowt.
Is sauerkraut pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈsaʊəˌkraʊt/ (SOW-uh-krowt).