Us Southerners don’t always say pecan the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll most often hear either puh-KAHN [pəˈkɑːn] (stress on the second syllable) or PEE-can [piː.kæn] (stress on the first syllable). Play the clip to hear both versions in real Southern speech, then - if you're up for a challenge - practice them yourself with our tips and sentences.
Sometimes you hear it PEE-can [piː.kæn], often before 'pie.'
Say It Like a Southerner
Listen to our audio clips a few times, focusing on the "puh-KAHN" and "PEE-can" stress patterns, then repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.
You’ll hear both "puh-KAHN" and "PEE-can" across the South. Some swear by one, some use both depending on the word that follows.
Is one pronunciation more Southern than the other?
"puh-KAHN" is often linked to Deep South and rural areas; "PEE-can" shows up in parts of Texas and the Carolinas, but both are widespread.
How can I practice saying "pecan" in a Southern accent?
Listen to both audio clips and practice each stress pattern separately until it feels natural.
Why the difference?
It’s partly regional history and partly individual preference; "pecan" has been split for over a century.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 17). Pecan. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/pecan
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Pecan." HillbillySlang.com, 17 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/pecan.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Pecan." HillbillySlang.com. September 17, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/pecan.
Regional Note
Southern accents vary widely from state to state and even holler to holler. The examples here reflect speech patterns common to rural Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, north Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, and aren't meant to represent lowland or coastal "Deep South" varieties. Nor are the examples perfect - accents can be hyper-regional. They're provided for curious learners, actors and content creators, and ESL speakers who want a friendly introduction to authentic pronunciation. Learn more on the Southern Accent hub page.
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
Listen to our audio clips a few times, focusing on the "puh-KAHN" and "PEE-can" stress patterns, then repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.