A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Givenchy
How to pronounce Givenchy, the iconic French fashion house, with the correct French 'J' sound and nasal vowel.
givenchy
zhee-VAHN-shee
/ʒiˈvɑ̃ːʃi/ · zhee · vahn · shee
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
Givenchy is frequently discussed in fashion magazines, online style blogs, and during awards ceremonies when celebrities wear the brand's haute couture or ready-to-wear collections. You'll also hear it in conversations among those interested in luxury fashion.
Where the word comes from
The brand is named after its founder, Hubert de Givenchy, an aristocrat from Beauvais, France. The surname 'Givenchy' itself has origins in Old French, likely related to a place name.
Common ways people get it wrong
- giv-EN-chee Many English speakers substitute a hard 'g' for the French 'j' sound and pronounce the 'en' as a regular English vowel.
- giv-AN-chee This misses the nasal quality of the French 'an' sound, which is crucial for accurate pronunciation.
Frequently asked
Is it 'giv-en-chee' or 'jiv-en-chee'?
It's closer to 'zhee-VAHN-shee'. The 'G' is pronounced like the 's' in 'measure' or 'vision', and the 'en' is a nasal sound.
How do I make the 'an' sound in Givenchy?
The 'an' is a nasal vowel, similar to the French word 'maman'. Try saying 'ah' but letting the air come through your nose without closing your mouth.
What's the most common mistake when pronouncing Givenchy?
The most common mistake is using a hard 'g' sound and pronouncing the 'en' as a typical English vowel. The French pronunciation is key to getting it right.
How do the French pronounce Givenchy?
In French, Givenchy is pronounced roughly as zhee-vahn-SHEE. The 'g' is soft like the 's' in 'measure', and the 'en' is a nasal sound.
How do you pronounce Givenchy in America?
In American English, Givenchy is often pronounced JIV-un-shee. Some may also use a pronunciation closer to the French original.
What is the English pronunciation of Givenchy?
In English, Givenchy is commonly pronounced JIV-un-shee. The emphasis is on the first syllable.
