How to pronounce tonkatsu
Say it like tong-KAT-soo. Tonkatsu has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tonkatsu. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- tong
- KAT
- soo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tonkatsu pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- tongKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- KATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- sooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of tonkatsu
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: tong-KAT-soo.
What does tonkatsu mean?
- A popular Japanese dish consisting of a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet served in bite-sized pieces and often accompanied by shredded cabbage and miso soup.
Questions about saying tonkatsu
How do you pronounce tonkatsu?
Say tong-KAT-soo. The American pronunciation is /tɑŋˈkætsu/. In British English it is /tɒŋˈkætsuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tonkatsu?
Tonkatsu has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAT). Broken into parts: tong · KAT · soo.
Is tonkatsu pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /tɒŋˈkætsuː/ (tong-KAT-soo).