How to pronounce Cherbourg
Say it like SHAIR-boorg. Cherbourg has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHAIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Cherbourg. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHAIR
- boorg
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cherbourg pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- boorgKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of Cherbourg
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SHAIR-boorg.
What does Cherbourg mean?
- A town and local government area (the Aboriginal Shire of Cherbourg, which is surrounded by South Burnett Region) in Queensland, Australia.
Where does Cherbourg come from?
Borrowed from French Cherbourg, from Old French Chieresburg, probably from Old Norse kjarr (“thicket”) + borg (“fort”).
Questions about saying Cherbourg
How do you pronounce Cherbourg?
Say SHAIR-boorg. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɛrburɡ/. In British English it is /ˈʃɛəbʊəɡ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Cherbourg?
Cherbourg has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHAIR). Broken into parts: SHAIR · boorg.
Is Cherbourg 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 /ˈʃɛəbʊəɡ/ (SHAIR-boorg).