Learn How to Pronounce feijoa

Quick Answer: In English, feijoa is pronounced /feɪˈdʒoʊ.ə/ or alternatively /feɪˈʒoʊ.ə/; in Portuguese, it is /fejˈʒɔ.ɐ/.
(Listen to the audio above for the stress and intonation)

The Expert's Take

Dr. Franz Lang

"A colleague from New Zealand once brought some feijoas to the faculty lounge. I had never heard of them before! The name itself, likely of Portuguese origin, is often mispronounced. It’s a great example of how loanwords adapt—or fail to adapt—to the phonology of their new homes."

By Dr. Franz Lang

Meaning and Context

The feijoa (Acca sellowiana) is an evergreen, fruit-bearing shrub or small tree indigenous to the subtropical highlands of southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. Prized for its distinctive aromatic fruit, the feijoa has been cultivated in gardens and orchards far beyond its native range, achieving particular prominence in New Zealand where it is a celebrated seasonal crop and a common feature in home gardens. The green, egg-shaped fruit possesses a uniquely complex flavor profile, often likened to a refreshing blend of pineapple, guava, apple, and a hint of mint. Beyond its culinary appeal, enjoyed fresh, in jams, chutneys, or baked goods, the feijoa tree is also valued as an ornamental plant for its attractive silvery-green foliage and striking red and white flowers with edible petals. Its cultivation has spread to other temperate climates, including the Caucasus, California, and parts of the Mediterranean, where it is grown for both personal consumption and commercial fruit production.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and most widely accepted spelling is "feijoa," derived from the surname of the Portuguese botanist João da Silva Feijó. A common alternative name, which functions as a spelling variant in practical usage, is "pineapple guava," though this can sometimes lead to confusion with true guavas (Psidium guajava). The term "guavasteen" is another historical synonym but is now considered largely archaic. Frequent misspellings and typos arise from the unusual "feij" opening and include "fiejoa," "feijo," "feijoa" (incorrectly capitalized in mid-sentence), and phonetic attempts like "feyjoa" or "feigoa." The pronunciation (/feɪˈʒoʊ.ə/ or /feɪˈhoʊ.ə/) can also lead to written errors. It is important to note that while "feijoa" refers to the plant and its fruit, the plural is typically "feijoas," and the adjectival form is "feijoa" as in "feijoa jam."

Example Sentences

Every autumn, our backyard feijoa tree becomes the center of attention, its branches heavy with fragrant green fruit that we harvest by the basketful.

The unique flavor of a perfectly ripe feijoa, a sweet-tart combination reminiscent of pineapple and mint, is a taste of the season that many New Zealanders eagerly anticipate.

She made a stunning feijoa and almond cake, which perfectly captured the fruit's aromatic qualities.

Gardeners in temperate coastal regions often plant feijoa not only for its fruit but also for its attractive, edible flowers and drought-tolerant nature.

After the first frost, we collected the fallen feijoas from the ground, knowing they are often sweetest when they drop naturally.

Sources and References

I consulted a wide range of authoritative sources for this fruit, including the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), Wiktionary, and Wikipedia. I also checked Forvo and YouGlish to compare how the pronunciation varies between New Zealand, where it is very popular, and its native South America.

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