A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Hermès
Pronounced er-MEZ, this French luxury brand name honors its Greek mythological namesake.
hermès
er-MEZ
/ɛʁˈmɛz/ · er · MEZ
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's a name frequently mentioned in fashion magazines, luxury retail environments, and among those interested in designer brands.
Where the word comes from
The brand name comes from the Greek god Hermes, the messenger of the gods, known for his speed and eloquence.
Common ways people get it wrong
- her-MEES This common mistake comes from trying to pronounce the final 's' like in many English words. In French, final 's' is often silent.
- HER-mez The stress is on the second syllable, not the first. Remember 'er-MEZ' with the emphasis on the 'MEZ'.
Frequently asked
How do you say Hermès in French?
The French pronunciation is closer to 'er-MEZ', with a soft, almost guttural 'r' sound at the beginning and the 's' at the end being silent.
Is it Hermes or Hermès?
The brand name is spelled 'Hermès' with the accent aigu on the final 'e'. This accent indicates the pronunciation, distinguishing it from the English word 'hermes'.
What does the accent on Hermès mean?
The accent aigu (é) in 'Hermès' signifies a specific vowel sound in French, similar to the 'ay' in 'say' but shorter. It helps guide the pronunciation towards 'er-MEZ'.
What is the real pronunciation of Hermes?
The most common pronunciation in English is HER-mez, with the stress on the first syllable. However, the French pronunciation is closer to er-MEZ, with a silent 'h' and a nasalized 'e' sound.
Is it her meez or her mess?
Neither 'her meez' nor 'her mess' are accurate. The correct pronunciation is closer to HER-mez in English, or er-MEZ in French.
Is it pronounced Hermes or Ermes?
In French, the 'h' is silent, so it is pronounced closer to 'Ermes'. In English, it is commonly pronounced with the 'h' sound, as 'Hermes'.
How do you pronounce Hermès brand in French?
In French, the brand name Hermès is pronounced er-MEZ. The 'h' is silent, and the final 's' is pronounced.
