Tanto or Tonto?

FivePointOh · Post by **FivePointOh** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 2:27 pm

OK, what is the correct pronunciation of the word TANTO?

I have always thought it was pronounced 'tanto' as it is spelled, not 'Tonto', the Lone Rangers companion.

Anybody know for sure? I have even heard knife dealers pronounce it both ways . Very confusing to the novice knife knuts and to me too.

BennytheBlade · Post by **BennytheBlade** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 5:45 pm

I dont know for sure... I have actually had 2 seperate japanese people tell me different prononciations... I think it may be regional or something...

FivePointOh · Post by **FivePointOh** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 6:04 pm

Thanks, still confused....

driveljay · Post by **driveljay** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 6:35 pm

Ive always thought it was pronounced tonto(TAWN-TOE)...and I have never heard anybody pronounce it tanto. TAN-TOE sounds like somebody from the South.

Pushbutton · Post by **Pushbutton** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 11:42 pm

I always say Tan-toe and to tell you the truth I never thought twice about it.
PB

Vagrant · Post by **Vagrant** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 5:05 am

Tanto for sure, but for some reason Tonto seems to be used lately by an increasing number of [mis-informed] people.

driveljay · Post by **driveljay** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 8:49 pm

well what about tomato

I say TOE-MAY-TOE...do you say TA-MA-TOE...

I hate being mis-informed....

Pushbutton · Post by **Pushbutton** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 11:44 pm

I like that. You might even sell the name rights to ginsue. 'The Tomatoe Tanto" It slices it dices and even kills. What household can be without one.
PB

Vagrant · Post by **Vagrant** » Sat Jul 05, 2003 6:00 am

Phoenetically it's closer to tahn like [Gengis] Kahn, than to tan [the color], but not Tonto.

FivePointOh · Post by **FivePointOh** » Sat Jul 05, 2003 6:55 pm

I found a wave file on an Aikido website.

So now everybody can hear how it's pronunced. TANTO <---<<< Click here to hear the correct pronunciation.

mrbigg · Post by **mrbigg** » Sat Jul 05, 2003 8:52 pm

that's what i thought too

Greyblade · Post by **Greyblade** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:49 pm

"Tanto" is a Japanese word. The correct pronunciation is closer to "tahn-toe" than anything else for an English speaker. If you want the straight skinny, ask your local sushi chef. For the purposes of the forum, "tanto" is fine, since we can't hear you saying it, Kemosabe. Domo arigato gozaimasu.

Greyblade