How to pronounce courtesan
Say it like KOR-tih-zun. Courtesan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce courtesan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOR
- tih
- zun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Courtesan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- tihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- zunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of courtesan
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KAW-tih-zun.
What does courtesan mean?
- The mistress of a royal or noble.
- A fairy chess piece that can move to any adjacent square, that, when captured, the capturing piece is also eliminated.
Where does courtesan come from?
Borrowed from Middle French courtisane, from Italian cortigiana, feminine of cortigiano (“courtier”), from corte (“court”), itself from Latin cohors.
Questions about saying courtesan
How do you pronounce courtesan?
Say KOR-tih-zun. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɔrtɪzən/. In British English it is /ˈkɔːtɪzən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in courtesan?
Courtesan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOR). Broken into parts: KOR · tih · zun.
Is courtesan 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 /ˈkɔːtɪzən/ (KAW-tih-zun).