How to pronounce souvenir
Say it like soo-vuh-NEER. Souvenir has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NEER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce souvenir. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- soo
- vuh
- NEER
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Souvenir pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NEERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of souvenir
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: soo-vuh-NEER.
What does souvenir mean?
- An item of sentimental value, that is given or kept to remember an event or location.
- To take (something) as a souvenir, especially illicitly, for example during wartime.
Where does souvenir come from?
Unadapted borrowing from French souvenir (literally “memory”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with souvenir
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of souvenir.
Questions about saying souvenir
How do you pronounce souvenir?
Say soo-vuh-NEER. The American pronunciation is /ˌsuvəˈnɪr/. In British English it is /ˌsuːvəˈnɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in souvenir?
Souvenir has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NEER). Broken into parts: soo · vuh · NEER.
Is souvenir 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 /ˌsuːvəˈnɪə/ (soo-vuh-NEER).