English is a rich and evolving language, and one of the reasons for this is its habit of borrowing words from other languages. These borrowed words—also called "loanwords"—often keep some of their original pronunciation, which can be tricky for learners. In this guide, you'll learn how to pronounce some common borrowed words correctly, and why English sometimes sounds like a mix of many languages!
✨ Why Borrowed Words Matter in Pronunciation
English has absorbed thousands of words from French, Italian, Spanish, German, Japanese, Arabic, and many more. When these words enter English, we often keep parts of their original sounds, especially vowels or stress patterns. Knowing how to pronounce them correctly helps you:
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Sound more natural and fluent
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Be better understood by native speakers
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Expand your vocabulary with confidence
🧭 Key Tips for Pronouncing Borrowed Words
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Recognize the origin: Knowing where a word comes from can give clues about how it’s pronounced.
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Watch the stress: Many borrowed words have stress on different syllables than native English words.
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Mind the vowels: English may adapt foreign vowels slightly, but some are kept closer to the original.
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Silent letters: Some borrowed words keep silent letters from their original languages.
🗣️ Practical Example Section
Let’s look at some borrowed words, grouped by their language of origin, and how to pronounce them properly in English.
🇫🇷 From French
French loanwords are very common in English. They often retain a soft, elegant pronunciation.
| Word | IPA Pronunciation | Audio Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Ballet | /bæˈleɪ/ | Stress on the second syllable: bal-LAY |
| Croissant | /ˈkwɑːsɒ̃/ (UK), /kwɑːˈsɑːnt/ (US) | Keep the nasal -on sound soft, especially in UK English |
| Rendezvous | /ˈrɒndeɪvuː/ | The "z" is silent: RON-day-voo |
📌 Tip: French words often drop final consonants and use nasal vowel sounds.
🇮🇹 From Italian
Italian words are often used in food, music, and fashion. They tend to end in vowels and use open, clear sounds.
| Word | IPA Pronunciation | Audio Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Pasta | /ˈpɑːstə/ (UK), /ˈpæstə/ (US) | British English: PAH-sta / American English: PAST-a |
| Opera | /ˈɒpərə/ | Stress on the first syllable: OP-er-a |
| Espresso | /eˈspresəʊ/ (UK), /eˈspresoʊ/ (US) | Not "EX-presso"—there's no “x” sound! |
📌 Tip: Italian words are very phonetic—pronounce every letter unless it’s obviously silent in English usage.
🇯🇵 From Japanese
Many tech, cultural, and culinary terms come from Japanese, often adapted into English-friendly syllables.
| Word | IPA Pronunciation | Audio Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Karaoke | /ˌkæriˈoʊki/ | English version shifts stress: KAR-ee-OH-kee |
| Tsunami | /tsuːˈnɑːmi/ | The "ts" is pronounced: tsoo-NAH-mee |
| Anime | /ˈænɪmeɪ/ | Three syllables: AN-ih-may, not “ANNY-me” |
📌 Tip: English often simplifies Japanese syllables but keeps the overall pattern and vowel length.
🌍 Other Examples
| Word | Origin | IPA | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari | Swahili | /səˈfɑːri/ | Emphasis on second syllable: suh-FAR-ee |
| Algebra | Arabic | /ˈældʒɪbrə/ | Soft "g": AL-jih-bruh |
| Kindergarten | German | /ˈkɪndəɡɑːtən/ (UK), /ˈkɪndərɡɑːrtn̩/ (US) | Stress on first syllable: KIN-der-garten |
🔄 Practice Tips
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Use an online dictionary with audio (e.g., Cambridge or Longman) to listen and repeat.
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Record yourself and compare to native pronunciation.
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Break down the word into syllables and focus on stress and intonation.
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Practice in context: Use these words in short phrases or sentences.
🧑🏫 Example Sentences for Practice
Try saying these out loud:
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“I’m taking a ballet class this weekend.”
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“Would you like a croissant for breakfast?”
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“We scheduled a rendezvous at the café.”
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“Let’s have pasta and espresso tonight.”
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“The tsunami warning was broadcast early.”
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“She studied anime and Japanese culture.”
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“The child is in kindergarten this year.”
📌 Final Thoughts
Mastering borrowed words helps you speak English more naturally and confidently. Think of them as bridges to other cultures within the English language. Don’t worry about perfection—focus on listening, practicing, and gradually adjusting your pronunciation.
If you'd like an audio pronunciation pack for all the borrowed words in this guide, let us know! 🎧
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