How to Pronounce “ingenue”

American (US)

/ˈɑnʒənu/

British (UK)

/ˌænʒeɪˈnjuː/

noun — An innocent, unsophisticated, naïve, wholesome girl or young woman.

Where the stress falls. “ingenue” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɑnʒənu/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈɑnʒənu/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "ingenue" mean?

ingenue (noun): An innocent, unsophisticated, naïve, wholesome girl or young woman.

How do you pronounce "ingenue" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈɑnʒənu/. British English: /ˌænʒeɪˈnjuː/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "ingenue"?

/ˈɑnʒənu/ in American English, /ˌænʒeɪˈnjuː/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "ingenue"?

“ingenue” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɑnʒənu/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.