How to pronounce schadenfreude
Say it like SHAD-in-froyd. Schadenfreude has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHAD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce schadenfreude. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHAD
- in
- froyd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Schadenfreude pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- inKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- froydGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
American vs British pronunciation of schadenfreude
American and British speakers say schadenfreude in essentially the same way: /ˈʃædɪnˌfrɔɪd/ in the US and /ˈʃædɪnˌfrɔɪd/ in the UK.
British respelling: SHAD-in-froyd.
What does schadenfreude mean?
- Malicious enjoyment derived from observing someone else's misfortune; counterempathy.
Where does schadenfreude come from?
An unadapted borrowing from German Schadenfreude (“joy in the misfortune of others”), from Schaden (“damage, misfortune”) + Freude (“joy”).
Questions about saying schadenfreude
How do you pronounce schadenfreude?
Say SHAD-in-froyd. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃædɪnˌfrɔɪd/. In British English it is /ˈʃædɪnˌfrɔɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in schadenfreude?
Schadenfreude has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHAD). Broken into parts: SHAD · in · froyd.
Do Americans and Brits say schadenfreude the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈʃædɪnˌfrɔɪd/ and the British form is /ˈʃædɪnˌfrɔɪd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.