Pronunciation can give us a quick indication of where a person is from. But with words that originate in foreign languages, it’s common for the Western world to struggle with its pronunciation. A good example of this is the common name for Mitragyna speciosa, spelled Kratom.
From one company to the next, one Kratom user to the next, how we say this unique word may depend more on how we first heard it than anything else. While there’s no hard fast “right” way to pronounce Kratom, dialects from around the globe have their own ways to say the name of the herb that’s taken us all with profound interest. No matter how you spell it or say it, Kratom’s benefits do more than roll off the tongue.
Kats Botanicals readers are curious as to how they can pronounce their favorite herb, and we are here to end the debate once and for all.
What is the Correct Kratom Pronunciation?
While Kratom got its start in the tropical jungles of Southeast Asia, it’s more common than ever to see Kratom powders and capsules in stores near your home or on popular Kratom websites. (Especially if Kratom is legal where you live.)
Depending on region and accent, there are three popular ways to pronounce Kratom:
- KRAY-tum
- KRAH-tum
- KRAT-um
Regardless of pronunciation, this versatile herb (actually made from ground leaves) is commonly used to feel pleasantly productive, find relief from daily stresses or discomforts, or as a way to feel more alert and focused. For some strains, like the Reds, for example, the uses may trend toward relaxation and calm.
If this is your first time hearing of Kratom – here’s where you can learn all about how Kratom works.
How Do English Speakers Pronounce Kratom?
If you live in the United States, you will likely hear Kratom pronounced in two ways: Kra-tum or Kray-tum. Phonetically speaking (no pun intended), here’s what that looks like:
- /ˈkreɪ/ or /ˈkræ/ – The stressed syllable, sounds like “cray” (as in “crayon”) or a shorter vowel, more like “cat”.
- /təm/ – The second syllable, the unstressed one, has a schwa /ə/ sound, like the “tum” in “autumn” or “quantum”. Sometimes it is quite short, producing a “dm” sound that falls off the end of the word.
KRAY-tum (/ˈkreɪ.təm/) with the long “a” sound is the most common pronunciation of Kratom in the United States. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary agrees.)
What is the Scientific Name of Kratom?
The scientific name of Kratom is Mitragyna speciosa. Kratom belongs to the Rubiaceae family, also known as the coffee family. Like other members of this botanical family, Kratom enjoys warm climates and rich soils. Kratom grows natively in Southeast Asian regions such as Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia.
How Do People Pronounce the Word Kratom?
Being regional and bordering the unfamiliar, you may have first heard the mysterious word Kratom differently than how you say it now. And, that’s ok. As long as you can safely and quickly place Kratom orders or ask local sales clerks the questions you need answering about Kratom, then no harm, no foul.
But to save potential embarrassment when speaking about your personal experiences with Kratom, let’s take a look at the most popular ways people say Kratom.
(Unless you’d prefer to tackle how to say Mitragyna speciosa? Perhaps, another day!)
What are the Common Ways of Pronouncing Kratom?
Common ways Kratom is pronounced, depending on what region of the globe you live in:
KRAY-tum
- Phonetics: /ˈkreɪ.təm/
- Common Region: USA, Canada
KRAH-tum
- Phonetics: /ˈkrɑ.təm/
- Common Region: UK, Australia, globally
KRA-tom
- Phonetics: /ˈkræ.təm/ or /ˈkrɑ.tɒm/
- Common Region: Used across the globe
As you can see the name of our bitter-yet-supportive powdered friends has developed some regional trends. But what about the original pronunciation?
What is the Native Pronunciation of Kratom?
Kratom use originated in Thailand and its surrounding areas. To get to the first pronunciation, we have to look at some distinctive Thai speech contributions to Kratom’s pronunciation today.
- The “k” sounds like a “g”.
- The “r” is “rolled” by the tongue.
- The “tom” sounds like “TOM”, putting the stress on the second syllable.
All together, the Thai pronunciation of Kratom sounds like “grah-TOM”. The rolled “r” sound may also carry over to dialects around the world that commonly have this trait in their language.
In other Southeast Asian areas, you may see these pronunciations (or different names):
- Malaysia: Ketum, pronounced keh-tum (like the “e” in “bed”)
- Indonesia: krah-tom or kra-tawm
- Borneo areas may call it Purik or Biak-biak, pronounced POO-reek and be-yahk.
How Does Thai Pronunciation Differ?
Thai pronunciation for Kratom differs because the language sounds more tonal, with stresses on different syllables than we may do here in the West. Consonant sounds are often softer, with vowels carrying more inflection. This produces a distinct, somewhat clipped “aw” or short “o” sound in the second syllable.
Natives or Thai-speaking Westerners may criticize Americans’ pronunciation of the word, citing our hard emphasis on the first syllable, instead of the stressed “TOM” as it is done in native tongues more directly associated with Kratom’s rich traditions and cultural background. It’s not that we don’t want to pronounce Kratom correctly, but that our English pronunciation and speaking habits make it harder to learn how to pronounce it with the same native inflection as a Thai or Indonesian person may do.
Origins of Kratom
The origins of Kratom’s use are just as interesting as the plant’s roots in dialects native to Southeast Asia.
Where Does Kratom Come From in Southeast Asia?
Kratom is from the lush and humid regions of Southeast Asia. These regions are ideal for Kratom trees due to their tropical climate, rich soils, and humid environments. These rich conditions are responsible for the biodiversity of this region’s flora.
People native to these regions have been using Kratom for managing pain, alleviating fatigue, and boosting labour for centuries.
What Does Mitragyna speciosa Mean?
Mitragyna speciosa is the scientific name of Kratom. This name consists of two parts: “Mitragyna,” which represents the genus, while the other part, “speciosa,” represents the species.
Mitragyna was coined by the Dutch botanist Korthals in the 1800s, inspired by the plant’s flower stigmas, which he thought resembled a bishop’s mitre, a crown-shaped ceremonial hat. While Mitragyna does not literally mean “crown-shaped,” the name reflects this visual similarity. The species name speciosa is Latin for “showy” or “splendid,” likely referring to the plant’s glossy green leaves.
How is Maeng Da Related to Kratom?
Maeng Da is a famous Kratom strain that literally translates to “pimp grade”. This refers to its high potency and strong alkaloid profile. Maeng Da Kratom is usually a blend of two or more strong variations of Red Vein, White Vein, and Green Vein Kratom. Here at Kats Botanicals, we carry multiple versions of this popular type of Kratom:
- Green Maeng Da Kratom
- Plantation Maeng Da Kratom
- Red maeng Da Kratom
- White Maeng Da Kratom
- And, Yellow Maeng Da Kratom
What Are the Different Pronunciations of Kratom?
An overview of the most popular Kratom pronunciations would include which of the two syllables is stressed, what tonal quality the vowels carry, and how strongly the consonants are used. Also, whether or not the “r” is rolled or if there’s a quick flick of a “g” instead of a hard “k” sound.
Including the variations on the Kratom word, here’s a more comprehensive list of Kratom pronunciations and variants:
- KRAY-tum
- KRAY-dm
- Kra-tum
- Kra-dm
- Krah-tom
- Grah-TOM
- Kra-TOM
- Kee-tum
- Bee-yahk bee-yahk
How Do Variations in Pronunciation Occur?
The different pronunciations vary due to cultural differences, differences in language and dialect, and may also vary due to regional intonation.
The emphasis on vowels (a, e, o, i, u) shifts from region to region. This leads to a difference in vowel enunciation that creates variation in pronunciation. For instance, American English tends to emphasize long vowels, hence the Kray-tum pronunciation. A good example of regional intonation would be in the American South where KRAY-TOM (or KRAY-DUM) would have equally stressed syllables and contain hard consonants.
What are the Most Common Kratom Strain Names?
Kratom products are even more diverse than the various pronunciations around the world. You’ll see dozens of different Kratom strains in different forms. Many of the different strains are named for the areas where they are grown, though this isn’t always the case (as we saw with Maeng Da).
Here are some of the most common Kratom types you’ll see on the market today. Their names are often paired with a color venation, which helps us to understand the potential benefits or “vibe” we may get while using that particular strain.
- Maeng Da
- Red Bali
- Thai
- Malay
- Borneo
- White JongKong
- Horn or Horned
- Sumatra
These Kratom strains tend to differ based on soil biodiversity, climate changes, and chemical profile. As to forms, you can find Kratom in powder, capsule, gummy, and extract forms, among others. What to choose? It’s up to your preferences and needs. Here’s a helpful guide to choosing Kratom products.
How Do You Pronounce Kratom in Different Languages?
Kratom’s different pronunciations across the globe is reflective of the plant’s rich biodiversity and culturally dense history. While the linguistic history of the herb in Thai or Malaysian speech, for example, remains regional – imagine its changing as the herb passed from one dialect to the next as peoples around the world began learning about Kratom leaves. The pronunciation, as its evolving legacy in herbal care, have created intricacies in both how we say and use our favorite herb, Kratom.
At Kats Botanicals, we love hearing from our Kratom community. Do you say Kratom in a unique way? How did you learn about this fascinating herb? Join our Kratom Facebook page and share your story with us!
