A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Marseille
Pronounce the French city like 'mahr-SAY', with stress on the second syllable.
marseille
mahr-SAY
/maʁˈseɪ/ · mahr · SAY
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It also appears in culinary contexts, like 'Marseille soap' or 'bouillabaisse à la marseillaise'.
Where the word comes from
The city's name comes from the ancient Greek Massalia, likely derived from the Phocaean word 'massalía', possibly meaning 'settlement'.
Common ways people get it wrong
- MAR-sell This common mistake comes from trying to pronounce it like an English word. Remember the 'seille' sounds like 'SAY'.
- mar-ZELL The 's' sound in French is usually a soft 's', not a 'z' sound, even when between vowels.
Frequently asked
Is Marseille pronounced with a French or English accent?
For English speakers, a common and understandable pronunciation is 'mahr-SAY'. While a perfect French 'r' is difficult, aiming for the 'SAY' sound is key.
What's the most common mistake when saying Marseille?
The most frequent error is pronouncing the 'seille' ending like 'sell'. It should sound like 'SAY', similar to the English word 'say'.
How do I remember the stress in Marseille?
The stress falls on the second syllable, making it sound like 'mahr-SAY'. Think of it as emphasizing the 'SAY' part.
How do the French say Marseille?
The French pronounce Marseille as 'Mar-say'. The 's' is pronounced like a 'z' sound, and the 'eille' sounds like 'ay'.
What are common pronunciation mistakes for Marseilles?
Common mistakes include pronouncing the 's' as an 's' sound instead of a 'z', or mispronouncing the 'eille' ending. It's important to remember the French pronunciation rules for these sounds.
