A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Notre-Dame
Pronounce 'Notre Dame' like 'Our Lady' in French, with a US English twist on the sounds.
notre-dame
NAW-truh DAHM
/ˌnɔtrə ˈdɑm/ · NAW-truh · DAHM
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It also appears in the names of universities and sports teams, especially in the US.
Where the word comes from
The name 'Notre Dame' is French for 'Our Lady,' referring to the Virgin Mary. It's commonly used for cathedrals and churches dedicated to her.
Common ways people get it wrong
- NO-tur DAM Americans often anglicize French 'o' sounds, but the 'o' in 'notre' is closer to 'aw', and the 'u' is a schwa sound.
- NOT-ree DAYM The French 'a' sound is more open, like in 'father', and the 'e' at the end of 'Dame' is silent in French, but in English pronunciation, it's often rendered as 'ahm'.
Frequently asked
How do you say Notre Dame in French?
In French, it's pronounced roughly 'noh-truh dahm', with a softer 'r' and a nasal 'n' at the end of 'Dame'.
Is it 'Our Lady' or 'Our Dame'?
'Notre Dame' literally translates to 'Our Lady' in French. It refers to the Virgin Mary.
What's the difference between Notre Dame and Notre Dame?
The most famous 'Notre Dame' is the cathedral in Paris. However, 'Notre Dame' is also the name of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, USA.
What's the correct pronunciation of Notre Dame?
In French, it's pronounced roughly as 'noh-truh dahm'. The 'tr' is a soft trill, and the 'm' is not strongly pronounced.
Is it notre or noter?
The correct pronunciation is 'notre', with a French 'r' sound. It is not pronounced like the English word 'noter'.
What is the pronunciation of 'Notre Dame' in French?
In French, 'Notre Dame' is pronounced approximately as 'noh-truh dahm'. The emphasis is on the second syllable of 'Dame'.
How do you pronounce 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'?
You pronounce it as 'The Hunchback of Noh-truh Dahm'. The pronunciation of 'Notre Dame' remains the same as the cathedral's name.
