10 San Francisco Words You’re Probably Mispronouncing

Gough 
The wrong way: Go

The right way: Goff

Nope, it’s not like Van Gogh. It’s kind of like rough but with a G. And get this: It’s named after a milkman (Charles H. Gough) who was tasked with laying out the streets in the city’s Western Addition neighborhood.

Arguello
The wrong way: Are-goo-el-oh

The right way: Are-gway-oh (although the Spanglish are-gwell-oh is more common)

This boulevard is named after California pioneer José Darío Argüello. Use the same pronunciation guide for Cabrillo and Vallejo. It’s Spanish 101, people.

Duboce
The wrong way: Duh-bow-chee

The right way: Dew-bahs

Fun fact: The street used to be called Ridley before 1900. Now, both the street and park are named after Victor Donglain Duboce, a member of the Board of Supervisors and a colonel in the Spanish-American War.

Kearny
The wrong way: Keer-nee

The right way: Ker-nee

A subtle but important difference. The street is generally assumed to be named after the first military governor of California under U.S. rule.

Noe
The wrong way: No

The right way: No-ee

Just like Zoe or Chloe. The street and neighborhood are named after the last Mexican mayor of the city (then called Yerba Buena instead of San Francisco). 

Cesar Chavez
The wrong way: See-zer Sha-vez

The right way: Say-sar Cha-vez

The famous labor leader and civil-rights activist even gets his own state holiday in California, Colorado and Texas.

Valencia
The wrong way: Vuh-len-cha

The right way: Vuh-len-see-ah

Don’t listen to what Siri or MUNI tell you. The popular stretch of shops and restaurants is pronounced just like the orange.

San Rafael 
The wrong way: San Raf-eye-el

The right way: San Ra-fell

Just accept it next time you head to this town across the Golden Gate.

Precita
The wrong way: Press-it-ah

The right way: Press-eat-ah

Actually, we think either one goes for this area known for its murals, plus it’s a kid- and dog-friendly park.

Junipero Serra
The wrong way: June-i-pear-oh Sarah

The right way: You-ni-pear-oh or Hoo-ni-pear-o Serra

Spanish, Spanglish, American pronunciations... Honestly, anything goes for the mission-founding friar. Bonus points if you roll your R’s.