How to Pronounce “crème brûlée”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /kɹɛm bɹuˈleɪ/
- British (UK)
- /kɹɛm bɹuˈleɪ/
What “crème brûlée” means
noun — A dessert of custard, covered by a brittle layer of browned sugar.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “crème brûlée” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /kɹɛm bɹuˈleɪ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "crème brûlée" mean?
crème brûlée (noun): A dessert of custard, covered by a brittle layer of browned sugar.
How do you pronounce "crème brûlée" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "crème brûlée", /kɹɛm bɹuˈleɪ/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.
What is the IPA transcription of "crème brûlée"?
/kɹɛm bɹuˈleɪ/ in American English, /kɹɛm bɹuˈleɪ/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "crème brûlée"?
“crème brûlée” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /kɹɛm bɹuˈleɪ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
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