How do you pronounce the word cumin (as in the spice)?

Question

CUMIN
Is it kyoomin, koomin, or kuhmin?

Answer 1

Coo-min is correct.

In the same way many Americans mispronounce "Coupon" by using the "Y" sound ( Kyoo-pon ) some have adopted Kyoo-min.

We don't drive Kyoops, we drive coupes. ( coops )
We don't raise chickens in a Kyoop.
We raise them in a chicken coop.

There is another somewhat salacious pronunciation which is best illustrated by this sophomoric poem...

I went to sunny Mexico
to taste exotic food.
There I found a brand new spice
...who's name seemed rather rude.
Since then I learned to love that taste
acquired way down south,
There's nothing quite like cumin,
...cumin in your mouth!

(I told you it was sophomoric! ;-)

Answer 2

cumin= koomin with a long vowel on the u

Answer 3

Here are the phonetic transcriptions:
'k&-m&n, 'kyü-, 'kü-

As you can see, there are 3 accepted pronunciations.

Go to the Merriam Wester Dictionary to hear the 3 pronunciations.

http://www.merriamwebster.com

Answer 4

Cue-Men

Answer 5

koomin This is the correct way to say it. alot of people pronounce it q-min just because of the u but that's not the correct way.

Answer 6

ive always pronounced it kyoomin... i have an indian friend and thats how her mother refers to it.

Answer 7

I always say kyoo min but I hear others say koo min as well. *shrug*

Answer 8

Q---min. Simple.

Answer 9

it's pronounced 'kyu-men'. my grandma cooks with it all of the time and she always says, pass the 'kyumen'.

Answer 10

It can be kyoomin or kuhmin-either is correct.