A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Boise
How to pronounce Boise, Idaho, the Gem State's capital city.
boise
BOY-see
/ˈbɔɪ.si/ · BOY · see
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It comes up in news reports about the state, travel discussions, or when people mention their hometown.
Where the word comes from
The city is named after the Boise River, which itself is likely derived from the French word 'boisé,' meaning 'wooded' or 'wooded land.'
Common ways people get it wrong
- boy-ZEE Some people might try to pronounce the 'se' like 'zee,' but it's a simple 'see' sound, like in 'see you.'
- BOY-see-uh This adds an extra syllable. Just remember it's a two-syllable word: BOY-see.
Frequently asked
Is Boise pronounced like 'boy-zee'?
No, the common pronunciation is 'BOY-see.' The 's' sound is like in 'see,' not 'zee.'
What's the easiest way to remember how to say Boise?
Think of the word 'boy' followed by the word 'see.' BOY-see. It rhymes with 'noisy.'
Does the pronunciation change if it's the river vs. the city?
No, both the city and the river in Idaho are pronounced 'BOY-see.'
How do locals pronounce Boise?
Locals pronounce Boise as "BOY-see". The emphasis is on the first syllable.
Is it boi see or boi zee?
It is pronounced "BOY-see", with an 's' sound, not a 'z' sound.
How do you pronounce the name Boise?
The name Boise is pronounced "BOY-see". It rhymes with words like 'noise' and 'choice'.
