How to pronounce bildungsroman
Say it like BIL-dungz-roh-mun. Bildungsroman has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bildungsroman. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BIL
- dungz
- roh
- mun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bildungsroman pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- dungzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- rohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- munKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of bildungsroman
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: BIL-dungz-roh-mun.
What does bildungsroman mean?
- A novel tracing the spiritual, moral, psychological, or social development and growth of the main character, usually from childhood to maturity.
Where does bildungsroman come from?
Borrowed from German Bildungsroman, from Bildung (“education, formation”) + -s- + Roman (“novel”).
Questions about saying bildungsroman
How do you pronounce bildungsroman?
Say BIL-dungz-roh-mun. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɪldʊŋzˌroʊmən/. In British English it is /ˈbɪldʊŋzˌrəʊmən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bildungsroman?
Bildungsroman has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIL). Broken into parts: BIL · dungz · roh · mun.
Is bildungsroman pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈbɪldʊŋzˌrəʊmən/ (BIL-dungz-roh-mun).