A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Champagne
Learn to pronounce champagne, the sparkling wine from France, with confidence. Get the French-inspired sound right.
champagne
sham-PAYN
/ʃæmˈpeɪn/ · sham · PAYN
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also common on menus for special occasions.
Where the word comes from
The word 'champagne' comes from the name of the Champagne region in France. It's derived from Latin 'campania', meaning 'open country' or 'plain'.
Common ways people get it wrong
- cham-PAY-nee This often happens because English speakers are used to adding an 'ee' sound to words ending in 'e'. Remember, the final 'e' is silent here.
- CHAM-pain The stress is on the second syllable, not the first. Make the 'payn' sound the loudest part.
Frequently asked
How do you say champagne in French?
The French pronunciation is closer to 'sham-PAN-yuh'. However, the English pronunciation 'sham-PAYN' is widely accepted and understood in English-speaking contexts.
Is the 'g' silent in champagne?
There is no 'g' in champagne. The word is spelled c-h-a-m-p-a-g-n-e. The 'gn' combination in French often makes a 'ny' sound, but in English, it's simplified.
What's the difference between champagne and sparkling wine?
Technically, only sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France can be called champagne. Other sparkling wines are simply called sparkling wine, prosecco, cava, etc.
