How to pronounce suzerain
Say it like SYOO-zuh-run. Suzerain has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce suzerain. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SYOO
- zuh
- run
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Suzerain pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- zuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- runKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of suzerain
American and British speakers say suzerain in essentially the same way: /ˈsjuzərən/ in the US and /ˈsjuːzərən/ in the UK.
British respelling: SYOO-zuh-run.
What does suzerain mean?
- A dominant nation or state that has control over the international affairs of a subservient state which otherwise has domestic autonomy.
Where does suzerain come from?
From French suzerain, based on sus (“up, above”) (from Latin sursum) with the ending of souverain (whence also English sovereign).
Questions about saying suzerain
How do you pronounce suzerain?
Say SYOO-zuh-run. The American pronunciation is /ˈsjuzərən/. In British English it is /ˈsjuːzərən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in suzerain?
Suzerain has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SYOO). Broken into parts: SYOO · zuh · run.
Do Americans and Brits say suzerain the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsjuzərən/ and the British form is /ˈsjuːzərən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.