How to Pronounce "bourgeois"
The correct pronunciation of "bourgeois" is BOOR-zhwah /ˈbʊəʒwɑː/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "BOR-jois" habit for good.
bourgeois
/ˈbʊəʒwɑː/Relating to the middle class, often implying conventional or materialistic values.
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Record yourself saying “bourgeois” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "BOR-jois" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "BOR-jois" or "boor-JOICE" with a hard 'j' and a voiced final 's'. | BOOR-zhwah /ˈbʊəʒwɑː/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | First syllable (BOOR) in British English. |
How Do You Pronounce "bourgeois"?
"bourgeois" is pronounced BOOR-zhwah /ˈbʊəʒwɑː/. The stress is on the first syllable (BOOR) in British English. As a adjective, it means relating to the middle class, often implying conventional or materialistic values.
The 'ge' is a soft 'zh' (like the 's' in 'measure') and the final 's' is silent: BOOR-zhwah.
Note: US /bʊrˈʒwɑː/ ("boor-ZHWAH") stresses the second syllable; both keep the 'zh' and the silent final 's'.
Say "bourgeois" Step by Step
Break the word down, get the stress right, then blend it back together at normal speed. Repeat each step out loud three times.
Break it into syllables
BOOR-zhwah — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
First syllable (BOOR) in British English. Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The 'ge' is a soft 'zh' (like the 's' in 'measure') and the final 's' is silent: BOOR-zhwah.
Blend and repeat
Now say "bourgeois" at normal speed: BOOR-zhwah. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "bourgeois" (2 Minutes, Out Loud)
Say each drill line aloud, slowly first, then at normal speed. On the last drill, use the mic check at the top of this page to test yourself.
measure → BOOR-zhwah
The 'ge' is the 'zh' of 'measure'.
NOT BOR-jois — BOOR-zhwah
No hard j; silent final s.
Say at speed: "He called their taste bourgeois."
Keep the 'zh' soft.
Why "bourgeois" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian speakers read 'geois' by English spelling, but this French loanword uses a 'zh' sound and a silent 's'.
Tip: Use the 'zh' of 'measure' and end in 'wah': BOOR-zhwah.
Hear “bourgeois” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
He called their taste bourgeois.
It felt very bourgeois.
She mocked the bourgeois lifestyle.
Words Related to "bourgeois"
Now say it inside a sentence
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Frequently Asked Questions
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