Chiral phonons carry finite phonon angular momentum, yet their momentum-resolved behavior in acoustic branches remains largely unexplored. Here, we report the direct detection of chiral acoustic phonons in elemental Te. Through a combination of high-energy-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering experiments and atomistic modeling, we confirm that longitudinal acoustic modes develop pronounced circular atomic motion by mixing with transverse modes. Our results establish a direct link between unexpected scattering intensity in nominally forbidden geometries and circular phonons, offering a framework for characterizing momentum-resolved phonon chirality and highlighting the emergence of intrinsic phonon angular momentum in acoustic branches.

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• Phonons
• Chiral symmetry
• First-principles calculations
• Inelastic X-ray scattering