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liaison

How to Pronounce "liaison"

The correct pronunciation of "liaison" is lee-AY-zon /liˈeɪzɒn/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "LYE-zon" habit for good.

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liaison

/liˈeɪzɒn/
noun

Communication or cooperation between people or groups.

lee
AY
zon
Stress: Second syllable (AY) in British English.

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The Indian-English Mistake: "LYE-zon" — and the Fix

AspectCommon in India (incorrect)Correct
Sounds likeSaying "LYE-zon" or "li-AI-son" with a hard 's' and wrong first vowel.lee-AY-zon /liˈeɪzɒn/
StressOften on the wrong syllableSecond syllable (AY) in British English.

How Do You Pronounce "liaison"?

"liaison" is pronounced lee-AY-zon /liˈeɪzɒn/. The stress is on the second syllable (AY) in British English. As a noun, it means communication or cooperation between people or groups.

The 's' is a soft 'z' and the middle is 'ay': lee-AY-zon.

Note: US /ˈliːəzɑːn/ ("LEE-uh-zon") is also standard; both keep the soft 'z' sound.

Say "liaison" 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

lee-AY-zon — say each part slowly and separately first.

2

Stress the right part

Second syllable (AY) in British English. Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.

3

Nail the key sound

The 's' is a soft 'z' and the middle is 'ay': lee-AY-zon.

4

Blend and repeat

Now say "liaison" at normal speed: lee-AY-zon. Record yourself and compare.

Minimal-Pair Drills for "liaison" (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

lee → lee-AY-zon

Starts 'lee', not 'lie'.

2

NOT LYE-zon — lee-AY-zon

Three beats with a soft 'z'.

3

Say at speed: "She acts as a liaison between teams."

Keep the 'z' soft.

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

Why this happens

Indian speakers read 'lia' as 'lie' and the 's' as a hard /s/, but this French loanword uses 'lee-ay' and a soft 'z'.

Tip: Say 'lee', then a stressed 'AY', then 'zon': lee-AY-zon.

Hear “liaison” in a Sentence

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

She acts as a liaison between teams.

He is our liaison officer.

Good liaison avoids confusion.

Now say it inside a sentence

Getting "liaison" right on its own is the easy part. Pronunciation only sticks in connected speech. Read a passage aloud and get scored on accuracy and pace, word by word — free, no login.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce "liaison" in Indian English?

"liaison" is pronounced lee-AY-zon /liˈeɪzɒn/. The stress is on the second syllable (AY) in British English. The common Indian rendering "LYE-zon" is incorrect.

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

Saying "LYE-zon" or "li-AI-son" with a hard 's' and wrong first vowel. Say 'lee', then a stressed 'AY', then 'zon': lee-AY-zon.

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

Indian speakers read 'lia' as 'lie' and the 's' as a hard /s/, but this French loanword uses 'lee-ay' and a soft 'z'. Say 'lee', then a stressed 'AY', then 'zon': lee-AY-zon.

Is there a US and UK difference in pronouncing "liaison"?

US /ˈliːəzɑːn/ ("LEE-uh-zon") is also standard; both keep the soft 'z' sound.

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