How to Pronounce “bourgeois”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /bʊrˈʒwɑː/
- British (UK)
- /ˈbʊəʒwɑː/
What “bourgeois” means
adjective — Belonging to the middle class, often with a suggestion of conventional materialism.
Example: He dismissed the whole street as bourgeois.
Pronunciation Notes
A loanword from French. Neither the g nor the final s is pronounced the way the spelling suggests: “BOOR-zhwah”, with the /ʒ/ of “measure” and a silent s.
Where the stress falls. “bourgeois” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /bʊrˈʒwɑː/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "bourgeois" mean?
bourgeois (adjective): Belonging to the middle class, often with a suggestion of conventional materialism. For example — He dismissed the whole street as bourgeois.
How do you pronounce "bourgeois" in American vs British English?
American English: /bʊrˈʒwɑː/. British English: /ˈbʊəʒwɑː/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.
What is the IPA transcription of "bourgeois"?
/bʊrˈʒwɑː/ in American English, /ˈbʊəʒwɑː/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "bourgeois"?
“bourgeois” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /bʊrˈʒwɑː/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
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