A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Yves Saint Laurent
Learn how to pronounce the iconic French fashion house name correctly with this simple guide for English speakers.
yves saint laurent
eev-san-law-RAWN
/ˌiːv sæ̃ lɔːˈrɒ̃/ · yves · saint · lau · rent
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It is common to hear people shorten it to 'YSL' in casual conversation to avoid the complexity of the full French pronunciation.
Where the word comes from
The name comes from the brand's founder, Yves Saint Laurent, a French fashion designer born in Algeria. The surname Laurent is a French form of the Latin Laurentius, meaning 'from Laurentum'.
Common ways people get it wrong
- yves-saint-law-rent English speakers often pronounce the final 't' in Laurent, but in French, it is silent.
- yivs-saint-law-rent The first name Yves is a single syllable; avoid adding an extra vowel sound before the 'v'.
Frequently asked
Do I pronounce the T in Laurent?
No, the T at the end of Laurent is silent in French. You should end the word with a soft nasalized vowel sound.
Is Yves one syllable or two?
Yves is one syllable. It sounds like the word 'eve' with a slightly sharper v-sound at the end.
Is it okay to just say YSL?
Yes, using the initials YSL is very common and widely accepted in both professional and casual English-speaking settings. It is often preferred if you are not confident with the French pronunciation.
How do you pronounce Yves St. Laurent?
The most common pronunciation is 'Eve San Lo-ron'. The 'Yves' is pronounced like 'Eve' and 'Laurent' is pronounced like 'Lo-ron'.
Is Yves pronounced as Eve?
Yes, the name Yves is typically pronounced 'Eve' in both French and English contexts.
How is Yves pronounced in French?
In French, 'Yves' is pronounced 'Eve'. The 's' at the end is silent.
How to pronounce Laurent in English?
In English, 'Laurent' is often pronounced 'Lo-rent' or 'Law-rent'. However, for the brand name, 'Lo-ron' is more common.
