A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Häagen-Dazs
The correct pronunciation of the popular ice cream brand, Häagen-Dazs, explained simply.
häagen-dazs
HAH-gun DAHZ
/ˈhɑːɡən ˈdɑːz/ · HAH · gun · DAHZ
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's a common topic when discussing premium ice cream brands.
Where the word comes from
The name Häagen-Dazs was invented by the founders Reuben and Rose Mattus. It was designed to sound Danish to evoke an image of tradition and quality, though it has no actual meaning in Danish or any other language.
Common ways people get it wrong
- HAY-gen DAZE People often mispronounce the first syllable like 'hay' and the second like 'daze' due to English spelling conventions. Remember the 'a' sounds are like 'ah'.
- HOG-en DAZE The umlaut over the 'a' is a visual cue, but in English pronunciation, it's best to think of it as an 'ah' sound, not an 'aw' or 'oh' sound.
Frequently asked
How do you say Häagen-Dazs?
The most common and accepted pronunciation in English is HAH-gun DAHZ. The first syllable rhymes with 'father' and the second syllable rhymes with 'buzz'.
Is Häagen-Dazs a real Danish word?
No, the name Häagen-Dazs was created by the founders to sound Danish. It does not have a meaning in Danish or any other language.
What does the umlaut over the 'a' mean?
The umlaut (two dots) over the 'a' is a stylistic choice to make the name look European. In English pronunciation, it indicates an 'ah' sound, similar to the 'a' in 'father'.
How do you pronounce Häagen-Dazs correctly?
The name Häagen-Dazs is pronounced roughly as HAY-gin DAHZ. The umlaut over the 'a' and 'e' are meant to evoke a Scandinavian feel, but they don't significantly alter the pronunciation from a standard English perspective.
What is the pronunciation of Häagen-Dazs in German?
In German, Häagen-Dazs would be pronounced similarly to the English version, HAY-gin DAHZ. The umlauts would indicate a slight modification of the vowel sounds, but the overall impression is very close.
Is Häagen-Dazs a German brand?
Despite the Germanic-sounding name and umlauts, Häagen-Dazs was actually founded in the Bronx, New York, by Polish Jewish immigrants Reuben and Rose Mattus.
What does Häagen-Dazs mean in German?
The name Häagen-Dazs does not have a meaning in German. It was invented by the founders to sound Danish or Germanic and to imply a tradition of quality.
