🗣️ Ballet, buffet, gourmet… these French loanwords feel easy once you know the final letters are silent. But watch what happens with the next three, because this is where almost everyone gets caught out. 👀
Here’s how to say them correctly:
🔴 Rendezvous is pronounced “ron-day-voo.” It means a meeting or an appointment.
🔴 Genre is pronounced “zhon-ruh.” It means a type or category, often of film, music, or writing.
🔴 Entrepreneur is pronounced “on-truh-pruh-nur.” It means someone who starts their own business.
The reason these are so tricky is that they all come from French, and English kept the original French pronunciation. That means the spelling and the sound don’t match, so if you trust the spelling, you fall straight into the trap. ✨ Getting them right instantly makes your English sound more polished and confident. If you got three out of four, your pronunciation is better than most native speakers. 👏
💬 Which one caught you out? Drop it in the comments and I’ll help you nail it. For more pronunciation and speaking help, grab my free study kit (link in the description). 📚
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