A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Chanel
Pronounced 'shuh-NEL,' this iconic fashion house name honors its founder, Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel.
chanel
shuh-NEL
/ʃəˈnɛl/ · shuh · NEL
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's a common name in fashion magazines, celebrity interviews, and when people talk about iconic brands.
Where the word comes from
The name comes from its founder, French fashion designer Gabrielle Bonheur 'Coco' Chanel (1883–1971).
Common ways people get it wrong
- CHAY-nel Some English speakers might try to pronounce the 'ch' as in 'chair,' but it's a soft 'sh' sound here, like in 'she.'
- chuh-NEL The first syllable is unstressed and sounds more like 'shuh' than 'chuh.' Focus the emphasis on the second syllable, 'NEL.'
Frequently asked
How do you say Chanel in French?
In French, it's pronounced very similarly to the common English pronunciation: 'shuh-NEL.' The key is the soft 'sh' sound at the beginning.
Is the 'ch' in Chanel silent?
No, the 'ch' is not silent, but it's pronounced as a soft 'sh' sound, not like the 'ch' in 'church.' Think of the sound in 'machine' or 'chef.'
What's the easiest way to remember the pronunciation?
Focus on the 'sh' sound at the beginning and the strong emphasis on the second syllable, 'NEL.' So, 'shuh-NEL.'
