With the talks of a DEA Kratom ban and other issues regarding the plant’s legality, Kratom has gained much popularity in the US. People are intrigued by the plant and want to know more about it. One of the common questions is: how to pronounce Kratom?
Since Kratom comes from Southeast Asia, most Americans are confused about its pronunciation. So, don’t worry, you’re not the only one who wonders how to pronounce the word Kratom.
In this article, we’ll discuss the pronunciation along with some other aspects of the herb.
How to Pronounce the Word Kratom?
The most common way to pronounce Kratom is ‘Kray-tum,’ which is quite evident from the spellings. In this pronunciation, the word ‘A’ is elongated similar to that in ‘alien.’
Some people also pronounce it as ‘Krah-tum.’ In this pronunciation, the word ‘A’ is rather flat, like that in ‘arm.
The Oxford Dictionary accepts both pronunciations as accurate. Southeast Asian people pronounce it as ‘kra-TOM,‘ which is the local way of saying Kratom.
Depending on the local accent, some Americans also pronounce it ‘Kray-tome’ or ‘Kra-tome.’ All these pronunciations are okay as long as you can get the message across.
The reason for most people being confused about how to pronounce the word Kratom is the way vowels are pronounced in different regions. Since Kratom isn’t an English word, its pronunciation follows the language’s rules very loosely.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you’re pronouncing the name correctly, as long as your way is understandable.
Suppose your friend is pronouncing the name wrong, only correct if they’re way off from the real pronunciation. Otherwise, it’s quite okay for people to play with phonetics.
Other Names for Kratom
Although most popular, ‘Kratom’ isn’t the only name for the plant. Its scientific name is Mitragyna speciosa.
The first part of this name refers to the plant’s genus, while the second part is the species name. Most people simply write Mitragyna or M.speciosa to refer to Kratom.
The name Mitragyna comes from the significant constituent of Kratom, an alkaloid called mitragynine. Meanwhile, the species name ‘speciosa’ has different meanings. These include impressive, brilliant, splendid, and spectacular.
Being Kratom enthusiasts, we can safely say that the plant has been named aptly.
In Kratom’s native land, people have local names for it, including ketum, kakuam, thang, and biak-biak. If you happen to be there on vacation, strike a conversation with a local using one of Kratom’s common names in the region.
Now that you know how to pronounce the herb Kratom let’s talk about purchasing the plant.
Where Can You Buy Kratom?
If you’re certain that you know how to pronounce Kratom correctly, walk into a local smoke shop and tell them what you need. They’ll understand what you’re asking for, considering Kratom’s production isn’t complex at all.
Coming to quality, local vendors aren’t very keen to compete with online sellers for Kratom. Thus, their product quality is often not as great as you’d get from online Kratom stores.
However, buying locally helps you save on Kratom as you don’t have to pay for the shipping. Some of you might be wondering: how to choose the right Kratom store? Well, there are a few ways.
- Kratom forums
- Kratom Vendor Reviews
- Yelp
- Word of mouth
If anyone in your friend circle is a Kratom enthusiast, you can ask them about the best vendors for buying different Kratom Powder colors locally. Otherwise, head over to Kratom forums and get in touch with enthusiasts from your locality. They must have some suggestions for you.
Alternatively, you can buy Kratom online, thanks to the plethora of online stores. These stores stock everything from Kratom capsules to Kratom powder.
Online sellers care deeply about their reputation. Thus, they source products from reputed suppliers only. Moreover, they always have a vast range of Kratom strains in stock.
Buyers can choose to buy per gram or in bulk. On most online stores, if you buy over a certain quantity, you qualify for free shipping. With such perks, enthusiasts prefer to buy Kratom from online vendors.
Final Words
By now, you must have learned how to pronounce Kratom. Don’t worry too much about it. Every pronunciation works as long as you’re not deviating too much from the right way.
Of course, you can go ahead and teach newbies about it, but the main thing to focus on is the plant’s quality. Whether buying Kratom powder online or from local stores, you must consider quality a priority.
Instead of choosing a Kratom vendor based on their prices, select those who have received positive reviews from veterans and regular customers. Want to learn more? Why not give our Kratom blog a visit?
