[French Brand Pronunciation: A Guide to the Correct Way]279

The world of luxury and fashion is filled with iconic French brands that have become synonymous with style and elegance. From the timeless designs of Chanel to the whimsical creations of Hermès, these brands have captured the hearts of fashion enthusiasts around the globe. However, pronouncing their names correctly can be a daunting task for non-native speakers.

To help you navigate the intricate world of French brand pronunciation, here is a comprehensive guide that will ensure you pronounce these esteemed names with confidence and panache.

Chanel

[Shah-nel]

The name of this iconic fashion house is pronounced as "Shah-nel," with a soft "sh" sound and the emphasis on the second syllable. Avoid pronouncing the "l" at the end.

Hermès

[AIR-mez]

Contrary to popular belief, the "H" in Hermès is silent. The name is pronounced as "AIR-mez," with the emphasis on the first syllable. The "s" at the end is also silent.

Louis Vuitton

[LVEE OO-ee-TON]

This luxury brand's name is pronounced as "LVEE OO-ee-TON," with the "LV" initials pronounced separately. Pay attention to the subtle difference between the "OO" and "ee" sounds in the middle.

Dior

[DEE-or]

The name of this renowned fashion house is straightforward to pronounce. Simply say "DEE-or," with the emphasis on the first syllable. The "r" is pronounced softly.

Yves Saint Laurent

[eev SAN-loh-RAH]

The name of this iconic designer is pronounced as "eev SAN-loh-RAH." The "Yves" part is pronounced with a soft "y" sound, similar to the "ee" in "see." The emphasis is on the second syllable.

Givenchy

[zhee-VAHN-shee]

Pronounce this brand name as "zhee-VAHN-shee." The "G" is pronounced as "zh" and the "y" at the end is silent. The emphasis is on the first syllable.

Celine

[seh-LEEN]

The name of this minimalist fashion brand is pronounced as "seh-LEEN." The "e" at the end is soft and barely audible. The emphasis is on the first syllable.

Balenciaga

[buh-len-see-AH-gah]

This brand's name is a bit more challenging to pronounce. Say "buh-len-see-AH-gah," with the emphasis on the third syllable. The "G" is pronounced as "g" in "go." The "a" at the end is soft.

Prada

[prah-DAH]

Despite its Italian origin, Prada's name is pronounced with a French accent. Say "prah-DAH," with the emphasis on the second syllable. The "a" at the end is long and pronounced like "ah." The "d" is silent.

Gucci

[goo-chee]

The name of this Italian fashion powerhouse is pronounced as "goo-chee." The emphasis is on the first syllable. The "c" is pronounced as "ch" in "church." The "i" at the end is soft.

Burberry

[BER-buh-ree]

This British brand's name is pronounced as "BER-buh-ree." The emphasis is on the second syllable. The "u" is pronounced as in "but." The "ry" at the end is similar to "ree."

Cartier

[kar-TYE-eh]

The name of this renowned jewelry brand is pronounced as "kar-TYE-eh." The emphasis is on the second syllable. The "i" in "tie" is pronounced briefly, as if it were a glide. The ending "eh" is soft and short.

Tiffany & Co.

[TIH-fah-nee]

This American jewelry brand's name is surprisingly simple to pronounce in French. Say "TIH-fah-nee," with the emphasis on the second syllable. The "y" at the end is silent.

Montblanc

[moh-blahn]

The name of this luxury pen and watchmaker is pronounced as "moh-blahn." The emphasis is on the first syllable. The "t" at the end is silent.

Bvlgari

[BUL-gah-ree]

This Italian jewelry brand's name is pronounced as "BUL-gah-ree." The emphasis is on the second syllable. The "v" is pronounced as "b." The "i" at the end is short and soft.

2025-01-13

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