How to pronounce malaise
Say it like ma-LAYZ. Malaise has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAYZ).
- ma
- LAYZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Malaise pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- maKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- LAYZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of malaise
American and British speakers say malaise in essentially the same way: /mæˈleɪz/ in the US and /məˈleɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: muh-LAYZ.
What does malaise mean?
- A feeling of general bodily discomfort, fatigue or unpleasantness, often at the onset of illness.
- An ambiguous feeling of mental or moral depression.
- Ill will or hurtful feelings for others or someone.
Where does malaise come from?
From French malaise (“ill ease”), from mal- (“bad, badly”) + aise (“ease”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- unease
- doldrums
- melancholy
- weltschmerz
- angst
- uneasiness
Words that rhyme with malaise
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of malaise.
Questions about saying malaise
How do you pronounce malaise?
Say ma-LAYZ. The American pronunciation is /mæˈleɪz/. In British English it is /məˈleɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in malaise?
Malaise has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAYZ). Broken into parts: ma · LAYZ.
Do Americans and Brits say malaise the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /mæˈleɪz/ and the British form is /məˈleɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.