Bourgeoisie is a French word that is often used in English to refer to the upper or middle class. However, the pronunciation of this word can be tricky for non-native English speakers. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to pronounce bourgeoisie correctly. We will also provide some tips for avoiding common pronunciation mistakes.
The first step is to break the word down into syllables. Bourgeoisie is pronounced as three syllables: “boor-jwa-zee.” The stress is on the second syllable. The “oo” sound in the first syllable is pronounced like the “oo” in the word “boot.” The “jw” sound in the second syllable is pronounced like the “j” in the word “jump.” The “zee” sound in the third syllable is pronounced like the “z” in the word “zebra.”
Once you have mastered the pronunciation of each individual syllable, you can start to put them together to form the complete word. Be sure to practice saying the word aloud several times until you feel comfortable with the pronunciation. You can also listen to recordings of native English speakers pronouncing the word to get a better idea of how it should sound.
The French Pronunciation of Bourgeoisie
Bourgeoisie is a French word pronounced as “boor-zhwa-zee.” Here’s a detailed breakdown of its pronunciation:
- “Boo”: Pronounced like the English word “shoe.” Start by rounding your lips slightly and forming a small opening. Blow air through this opening to create the “oo” sound.
- “rzh”: Pronounced as a guttural “r” followed by a “zh” sound. To produce the “r,” push your tongue towards the roof of your mouth and vibrate it slightly. Then, release the air to create a soft “r.” For the “zh,” place your tongue between your upper and lower front teeth and push air through, producing a buzzing sound.
- “wa”: Pronounced as a diphthong, meaning it’s a sound that transitions smoothly from one vowel to another. Start by saying “ah” like in “father,” and gradually shift your tongue towards the “oo” sound in “shoe.”
- “zee”: Pronounced like the English word “see.” Start by forming a small opening with your lips and pushing your tongue towards the roof of your mouth. Release the air to create the “ee” sound.
IPA Transcription:
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription of “bourgeoisie” is: /buʁʒ.wa.zi/
Pronouncing Bourgeoisie as a Single Syllable
Step 1: Reduce the word to its root.
Remove the ending “-sie” from bourgeoisie to get the root word “bourgeois.” This root word reflects the original French pronunciation of the term.
Step 2: Pronounce the root word with a French accent.
Say the word “bourgeois” with the following sound: /boor-zhwah/. Emphasize the first syllable and pronounce the ending “-ah” with a slightly elongated sound.
Step 3: Add back the “-sie” ending.
Once you have the pronunciation of the root word down, simply add back the “-sie” ending to get the final pronunciation: /boor-zhwah-zee/. Again, emphasize the first syllable and elongate the ending slightly.
Step 4: Practice pronouncing the word in context.
To fully master the pronunciation of bourgeoisie, it’s important to practice saying it in different contexts. Here are a few examples to try:
| Example Sentence | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| The bourgeoisie class holds significant economic power. | /boor-zhwah-zee klaas hohlz sig-ni-fi-kant ee-ko-nom-ik pow-ur/ |
| The October Revolution aimed to overthrow the bourgeoisie. | /dee ok-toh-bur rev-oh-loo-shun aymd too oh-ver-throh dee boor-zhwah-zee/ |
| Bourgeois values heavily influence modern society. | /boor-zhwah va-lyooz heav-i-lee in-floo-ens moh-dern soh-sy-uh-tee/ |
Pronouncing Bourgeoisie with a Soft “G”
Step 1: Say the “e” with a relaxed “a” sound
Pronounce the first “e” in “bourgeoisie” with a relaxed “a” sound, similar to how you would say “bag.” The sound should be short and somewhat unstressed.
Step 2: Pronounce the “o” as in “hole”
The second vowel, “o,” is pronounced as in “hole.” Make the sound clear and distinct.
Step 3: Say the “u” with a short “u” sound
The third vowel, “u,” is pronounced with a short “u” sound, as in the word “put.”
Step 4: Pronounce the “r” as in “car”
The “r” in “bourgeoisie” is pronounced as in the word “car.” Make sure to trill the “r” slightly for clarity.
Step 5: Pronounce the “g” with a soft “j” sound
The “g” in “bourgeoisie” is pronounced with a soft “j” sound, as in the word “beige.” This is what gives the word its characteristic soft “g” pronunciation.
Step 6: Pronounce the “-eois” ending as in “noise”
The “-eois” ending is pronounced as in the word “noise,” with the “s” sound slightly hushed.
Step 7: Practice Pronouncing the Word
To ensure proper pronunciation, practice saying the following words and sentences:
| Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Bourgeoisie | /buːrʒuːɑːzie/ |
| The bourgeoisie class | /ðə buːrʒuːɑːziː klæs/ |
| Bourgeois values | /buːrʒuːɑː values/ |
By following these steps, you can pronounce “bourgeoisie” with a soft “g” sound in English.
Pronouncing the Emphasis on the First Syllable
1. Drop the “R”
When emphasizing the first syllable, the “r” in “bourgeoisie” is typically dropped. Say it as “boo-juh-wah-zee.”
2. Say “Boo” as in “Boot”
The first syllable is pronounced with the “oo” sound as in “boot,” not like the “u” in “bus.”
3. Keep “Ju” Short
The second syllable is pronounced with a short “u” sound, as in “just,” rather than a long “oo” as in “juice.”
4. Emphasize “Wah”
The third syllable, “-wah,” is the stressed syllable, so it should be pronounced with the most emphasis.
5. Pronounce “Zee” as “Zee”
The final syllable, “-zee,” is pronounced like the letter “z,” not like the French “j” in “bonjour.”
6. Connect the Syllables
When speaking the word, it’s important to connect the syllables smoothly without pausing between them: “boo-juh-wah-zee.”
7. Practice with Minimal Pairs
Practice differentiating between the pronunciations with emphasis on the first syllable and the second syllable. For example:
| Pronunciation | Meaning |
|—|—|
| boo-juh-wah-zee | the bourgeoisie |
| boor-juh-wah-zee | a French wine |
8. Listen to Native Speakers
Immerse yourself in authentic English speech by listening to native speakers pronounce the word “bourgeoisie” in various contexts. This will help you develop a natural intonation and pronunciation.
How to Pronounce Bourgeoisie
The correct pronunciation of “bourgeoisie” is with the stress on the second syllable. The “oi” in “bourgeois” is pronounced as in “coin,” and the “sie” is pronounced as in “siege.” Thus, the correct pronunciation of the word is ˌbo͝orZHwäzē.
People Also Ask
How do you say bourgeoisie in French?
The French pronunciation of “bourgeoisie” is [buʁ.ʒwa.zi].
What is the meaning of bourgeoisie?
The bourgeoisie is a social class that emerged in Europe during the Middle Ages. It is typically characterized by its ownership of property and capital, and its pursuit of wealth and social status.
