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facade

How to Pronounce "facade"

The correct pronunciation of "facade" is fuh-SAHD /fəˈsɑːd/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "fuh-KAYD" habit for good.

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facade

/fəˈsɑːd/
noun

The front of a building; or a false outward appearance.

fuh
SAHD
Stress: Second syllable (SAHD).

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The Indian-English Mistake: "fuh-KAYD" — and the Fix

AspectCommon in India (incorrect)Correct
Sounds likeSaying "fuh-KAYD" with a hard "c" sound.fuh-SAHD /fəˈsɑːd/
StressOften on the wrong syllableSecond syllable (SAHD).

How Do You Pronounce "facade"?

"facade" is pronounced fuh-SAHD /fəˈsɑːd/. The stress is on the second syllable (SAHD). As a noun, it means the front of a building; or a false outward appearance.

The "c" sounds like "s" (from the ç), and the "a" is a long "ah": "fuh-SAHD".

Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.

Say "facade" 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.

1

Break it into syllables

fuh-SAHD — say each part slowly and separately first.

2

Stress the right part

Second syllable (SAHD). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.

3

Nail the key sound

The "c" sounds like "s" (from the ç), and the "a" is a long "ah": "fuh-SAHD".

4

Blend and repeat

Now say "facade" at normal speed: fuh-SAHD. Record yourself and compare.

Minimal-Pair Drills for "facade" (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.

1

say ah (as in father) → sahd → fuh-SAHD

Soft s from the French ç, plus a long open 'ah'.

2

NOT fuh-KAYD — fuh-SAHD

The c is an s sound in this French word — never a k.

3

At speed: the building has a glass facade

Light 'fuh', stress on SAHD.

Why "facade" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It

Why this happens

A "c" before "a" normally sounds like "k", so Indian speakers say "fa-kade", but this French word uses a soft "s".

Tip: Use an "s" for the "c" and a long "ah": fuh-SAHD.

Hear “facade” in a Sentence

Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.

The building has a glass facade.

His calm was just a facade.

They restored the old facade.

Words Related to "facade"

Related: cache

Another French-origin word said simply: CASH.

Now say it inside a sentence

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce "facade" in Indian English?

"facade" is pronounced fuh-SAHD /fəˈsɑːd/. The stress is on the second syllable (SAHD). The common Indian rendering "fuh-KAYD" is incorrect.

What is the most common mistake when saying "facade"?

Saying "fuh-KAYD" with a hard "c" sound. Use an "s" for the "c" and a long "ah": fuh-SAHD.

Why do Indian English speakers find "facade" hard to pronounce?

A "c" before "a" normally sounds like "k", so Indian speakers say "fa-kade", but this French word uses a soft "s". Use an "s" for the "c" and a long "ah": fuh-SAHD.

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