Kratom Pronunciation: The Right Way to Pronounce the Word “Kratom”
Kratom pronunciation varies depending on the accents people adopt in different parts of the world. Accents not only vary from one country to another, but they can also be different within one region. This botanical is pronounced differently in different countries of Southeast Asia, including but not limited to Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The debate on Kratom pronunciation has been a hot subject for a while, and different people have different views on it. Hundreds of them get confused about how exactly they should pronounce Kratom. This article presents a detailed discussion in this regard. Let’s get into the specifics.
Kratom Pronunciation: Does It Really Matter?
The botanical is sold by different names worldwide. In many countries, you will find it with the name of Kratom, whereas other regions may offer this herb by the name of Ketum or Korth. Similarly, some places use the scientific name of this magical tree leaf, i.e., Mitragyna Speciosa.
As far as pronunciation is concerned, it means the use of the same word (Kratom) but with different styles, just like people from different countries speak English with different accents. The British accent has a series of differences compared to the American one. The same is the case with other regions of the globe.
Pronunciation does not matter a lot. Even if you don’t exactly know the right way to pronounce Mitragyna, the person you are speaking to can understand what you are talking about.
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What Does Oxford Dictionary Say About Pronouncing Kratom?
The Oxford University Press helps us understand how to pronounce Kratom in the United States. It presents two different Kratom pronunciations, as discussed below.
1) Kray-Tum
This sounds similar to the word “cray-tum”. When pronouncing the first half of the word “cray”, the sound “ay” should be a bit longer than the normal “a”. So, this is how you can say Kray-Tum.
2) Krat-Um
It is used more widely than the previous one. When you use this word to pronounce Kratom, don’t forget to consider that the letter “a” should produce a short sound, not long like the above name. The word “Krat-um” sounds pretty similar to “Atom”.
Which Kratom Pronunciation Should I Use?
If we talk about the Oxford Dictionary, consists of many words that are associated with multiple pronunciations. Kratom is one of them. The US citizens are more attracted to pronouncing the name of this plant material as “Krat-um,” and they think it is the right way to call this botanical.
In contrast, people who discuss this tree leaf in their speeches or social platforms name it “Kray-tum”. The American Kratom Association (AKA) - the only official Speciosa advocate in the US - also uses the same word (Kray-tum) to pronounce Mitragyna. The AKA is trying its level best to keep Speciosa alive and make its future bright.
The above-listed pronunciations are used in the US. Thousands of Kratom users believe that the right way to pronounce Kratom is to follow the accents adopted in the native Southeast Asian regions.
How Do Southeast Asian People Pronounce Kratom?
This section is all about how native people pronounce the name of this magical herb. Below is a list of the three Southeast Asian Kratom pronunciations.
- Thailand
It is one of the leading Speciosa producers around the world. People use the word “Kruh-tome” when discussing this botanical. They emphasize more on the first half, “Kruh”, and the second half, “tome” sounds very similar to the word “tone”. - Indonesia
They call Speciosa with a more fascinating sound than other regions in Southeast Asia. Indonesian people make it sound like “Kra-thom”. The first half produces the same sound as “Spa‘, whereas the second half creates a difference. The use of “t” with a little touch of “h” makes it appealing. - Malaysia
This is another leading producer of Mitragyna Speciosa. The way Malaysians pronounce Kratom is very different. The unique thing they do with this word is that they silent the sound of the letter “r”. So, the name’s first half sounds like “Key” or “Kea”. Whereas the second half, “tum” or “tom,” is similar to “atom”.
Which Native Kratom Pronunciation Is Used Frequently?
Thailand is the biggest Kratom producer, and the name Kratom originated from this tropical country, according to many users. This is why they use the Thai pronunciation more frequently than other versions.
The issue with the Malay pronunciation is nothing but the silent “r”. This creates a big difference and changes the sound of the whole world, which may confuse both buyers and sellers. Therefore, instead of creating any sort of confusion, it is better to use a Thai accent to pronounce Kratom.
Do the Scientific Names of Kratom Have Different Pronunciations?
The scientific names are specific names that biological science gives to living beings. “Homo Sapiens” is the scientific name given to human beings.
Similarly, Kratom is scientifically known as Mitragyna Speciosa, as mentioned earlier. Finding it difficult to pronounce? If yes, just repeat it two to three times, and it will become easy for you to remember.
The first pronunciation of this name is “Me-tra-ginah”. The first half sounds more like we say the word “me”. The other pronunciation for the scientific name of Korth is “Mi-tra-ginah”. The first half, “Mi” is similar to when we say “I”.
The only difference between both pronunciations is the use of “Me” and “Mi”. The second and third parts are the same for both.
How to Pronounce Different Speciosa Strains?
Well, different Kratom strains are called with different pronunciations. Some of them are easy to use, whereas others become difficult at times.
Bentuangie is a widely known strain, but it is not as popular as Thai, Indo, Borneo, and Malay. You can pronounce it correctly by breaking it into three different parts: “Ben-too, angie”. Can you recall the “Ben10” you used to see in your childhood? If yes, pronouncing Bentuangie wouldn’t be an issue.
When it comes to using the right way to call Maeng Da, it is pronounced as “Mung-Da”, “Mong-Da”, or “Maeeng-Duh”. Similarly, Borneo is pronounced as “Bor-neo”. The first half produces a sound similar to the word “bore”, whereas the second half refers to the “neon” sound.
Where to Explore How Regular Users Pronounce Kratom?
If you want to interact directly with Kratom users and sellers to ask how exactly this herb is being pronounced in the industry, you can explore different online forums, like Quora and Reddit.
Moreover, you can go through various YouTube resources to get familiar with this domain. Furthermore, getting in touch with the native community may give you another potential chance to determine how they pronounce Kratom.
Final Words
The United States uses two different Kratom pronunciations, i.e., “Krat-um” and “Kray-tum”, as stated above. In contrast, Southeast Asian communities call this botanical with different accents, like “Kra-thom” and “Kea-tom”. For more details, make sure you read the above discussion carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do users pronounce Kratom in the United States?
A: According to many sellers and Speciosa enthusiasts, the word “Kratom” is pronounced as “Krei-Tom”. The first part of this word sounds like “Kray”. This pronunciation is pretty similar to pronouncing the word “crazy” as “Krei-zi”.
Q: What is the most popular pronunciation of Kratom?
A: Well, with so many options available in the market, it is very difficult to claim that a specific pronunciation is more popular than the other. It varies from region to region. If you live in Southeast Asia, the popular pronunciation is “Krah-tum”.
Q: What if I use the wrong Kratom pronunciation?
A: Using the wrong pronunciation of this botanical is not a big deal. Anything closer to the correct word will work fine.
However, it depends on the person or seller you are communicating with. As long as the other person understands what you want to purchase, wrong pronunciations will work too.
