2 syllables: Lat, kes. Stress on Lat.
LAHT-kuhz
/ˈlɑtkəz/
Latkes is pronounced LAHT-kuhz (/ˈlɑtkəz/). It has two syllables (Lat-kes), with the stress on "Lat". Latkes are small, grated-potato pancakes fried until crisp, traditionally served warm and often accompanied by applesauce or sour cream. They’re a staple in Jewish cuisine, especially during Hanukkah, and can be savory or lightly seasoned. The term Latkes refers specifically to the potato-based version, though variations exist in other cultures’ fried potato dishes.
nounLatkes are small, grated-potato pancakes fried until crisp, traditionally served warm and often accompanied by applesauce or sour cream. They’re a staple in Jewish cuisine, especially during Hanukkah, and can be savory or lightly seasoned. The term Latkes refers specifically to the potato-based version, though variations exist in other cultures’ fried potato dishes.
"I enjoyed crispy latkes with sour cream at the festival."
"Her grandmother taught her the perfect latkes recipe for Hanukkah."
"We served potato latkes alongside smoked salmon for brunch."
Pronounce LAT-kəs, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈlæt.kəs/ (more commonly transcribed as /ˈlɑːt.kəs/ by some speakers? In practice, American English uses /ˈlæt.kəs/). The first syllable is a clear, open front vowel; keep the second syllable unstressed and reduced: /ˈlæt.kəs/. You’ll want the final /s/ crisp but not a hiss. For audio reference, imagine saying “lat” as in “latte” but with a crisp final /t/ merged to /t/ and ending with /kəs/.
Common mistakes include: misplacing stress (saying laTKES or LA TKES), pronouncing the second syllable as a full vowel (lat-KES), and mispronouncing the final /s/ as /z/. Correction: keep stress on the first syllable, use a short, lax second syllable /kəs/, and ensure the final /s/ is voiceless as in /s/. Practice with minimal pairs and listen to native pronunciation to hear the crisp final s.
In US English, /ˈlæt.kəs/ with a short ‘a’ as in cat. UK English is similar but can be slightly more clipped on the final /s/. Australian English also mirrors /ˈlæt.kəs/ but with a flatter vowel and a more lenient final consonant release. None of these are rhotic; the r sound does not appear. Pay attention to vowel length and the release of the final /k/ before the final /s/.
The challenge lies in maintaining very short, clipped second syllable and a crisp final /s/ after a hard /k/. Some speakers might insert a vowel between /t/ and /k/ or mispronounce as /ˈlætkɪz/. Keep the second syllable unstressed /kəs/ and avoid linking the /t/ to the following /k/. Practice with a tape of native pronunciations to feel the release sequence.
Latkes has no silent letters; the first syllable bears the primary stress: /ˈlæt.kəs/. The spelling aligns with the pronunciation: two syllables, with a /t/ finishing the first syllable and the fast, unstressed second syllable. There isn’t a silent letter in standard pronunciation. The tricky part is the crisp /t/ and the /s/ at the end, which many speakers make too voicey.
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Latkes derives from the Yiddish word latkes, from the Germanic root latke in the sense of ‘pancake’ or ‘flat cake.’ The Yiddish term itself likely traces to the Middle High German latentkeh, though exact origin is debated. In Ashkenazi Jewish communities, latke specifically refers to a shallow-fried potato pancake popular in Eastern European cuisine. The modern English usage recognizes latkes as the potato-based version, distinguishing from other fried pancake-like dishes. The adoption into English occurred through Jewish immigrant communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the word appearing in American cookbooks and cultural references shortly thereafter. First known uses in English-language publications appear in the early 1900s, often in Jewish newspapers and recipe collections, signaling both culinary and cultural significance. Over time, latke also became a symbol of Hanukkah celebrations in the United States, spreading to broader audiences through cookbooks, restaurants, and televised holiday specials, cementing its place in North American cuisine. Today, latkes remain a beloved feature of Jewish home cooks and celebratory menus worldwide, with regional variant names and toppings reflecting local tastes while preserving the core potato-based technique.
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Words that rhyme with "Latkes"
-kes sounds
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