How to pronounce bonjour
Say it like bun-ZHOOR. Bonjour has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZHOOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bonjour. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- bun
- ZHOOR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bonjour pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- bunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ZHOORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of bonjour
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: bun-ZHOOR.
What does bonjour mean?
- Good morning; hello.
- To greet in French with "bonjour".
Where does bonjour come from?
Borrowed from French bonjour (“good afternoon/good day/good morning”).
Words that rhyme with bonjour
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bonjour.
Questions about saying bonjour
How do you pronounce bonjour?
Say bun-ZHOOR. The American pronunciation is /bənˈʒʊr/. In British English it is /bənˈʒʊə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bonjour?
Bonjour has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZHOOR). Broken into parts: bun · ZHOOR.
Is bonjour pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /bənˈʒʊə/ (bun-ZHOOR).