How to Pronounce “Volkswagen”

American (US)

/ˈvoʊkswɑːɡən/

British (UK)

/ˈfɒlksvɑːɡən/

proper noun — A German car manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg.

Where the stress falls. “Volkswagen” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈvoʊkswɑːɡən/ 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. /ˈvoʊkswɑːɡən/ 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 "Volkswagen" mean?

Volkswagen (proper noun): A German car manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg.

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

American English: /ˈvoʊkswɑːɡən/. British English: /ˈfɒlksvɑːɡən/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "Volkswagen"?

/ˈvoʊkswɑːɡən/ in American English, /ˈfɒlksvɑːɡən/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "Volkswagen"?

“Volkswagen” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈvoʊkswɑːɡən/ 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.

How to Pronounce German Names — Johann, Bayer, Volkswagen

J is y, w is v, z is ts, ei is eye and ie is ee — the six letter swaps that unlock German names, plus ü, ö and ch.

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