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Original poster

Bouquet. How do you pronounce it?

130 replies

ApolloandDaphne · 16/03/2023 20:35

I just heard a Funky Pigeon advert and they pronounced it bo-quet ( to rhyme with so) but I would pronounce it boo-quet. I am Scottish so am willing to accept I pronounce it oddly!

OP posts:
SarahLHs · 16/03/2023 21:18

Bow-kay

ChocolateTea · 16/03/2023 21:19

Out of interest do the French have regional accents like we do? Like if someone asked how do you pronounce bath, some would say Barth and some would say ba-th - is it the same with some French words?!

WonderingWanda · 16/03/2023 21:20

Bow-kaaay not lived in London for decades but did as a child and the accept slips out with certain words.

aroomwithaperfectview · 16/03/2023 21:20

Meredusoleil · 16/03/2023 20:41

I believe the word is French in origin and should be pronounced boo-kay.

You're right.

VivienneDelacroix · 16/03/2023 21:20

Boo-kay of course.

Original poster
ApolloandDaphne · 16/03/2023 21:21

Meredusoleil · 16/03/2023 21:14

Not to derail the thread, but how about another word of French origin: buffet?

I say boo-fay like the French way. I have heard it said buff-ay the English way though!

Boo-Fay.

OP posts:
Twoscotcheggsandajarofmarmite · 16/03/2023 21:22

I don’t know where, but I remember years ago reading that it was bowkay for flowers but bookay for the smell of wine etc. It must have stuck because to this day I differentiate between them.

BoredToTearsAgain · 16/03/2023 21:22

illiterato · 16/03/2023 20:42

To rhyme with okay.

Bow Kay
Rhymes with okay X

HubertTheGoat · 16/03/2023 21:23

ChocolateTea · 16/03/2023 21:19

Out of interest do the French have regional accents like we do? Like if someone asked how do you pronounce bath, some would say Barth and some would say ba-th - is it the same with some French words?!

Uh, yes.

ChocolateTea · 16/03/2023 21:25

HubertTheGoat · 16/03/2023 21:23

Uh, yes.

Show quote history

So saying “this is how it’s pronounced in French” might not be fully accurate as different areas might pronounce it differently?

Sillybanana · 16/03/2023 21:27

bo. I’ve only ever heard it pronounced boo quiet in keeping up appearances! I’m a Londoner

Tubbyinthehottub · 16/03/2023 21:29

ChocolateTea · 16/03/2023 21:25

So saying “this is how it’s pronounced in French” might not be fully accurate as different areas might pronounce it differently?

Show quote history

Nowhere in France would it be bow-kay

BurbageBrook · 16/03/2023 21:41

@ChocolateTea they have regional accents but 'bou' is always pronounced 'boo'

ChocolateTea · 16/03/2023 21:44

BurbageBrook · 16/03/2023 21:41

@ChocolateTea they have regional accents but 'bou' is always pronounced 'boo'

ah thank you! What kind of pronunciations change then? (Genuinely interested as I find accents fascinating)

RaraRachael · 16/03/2023 21:44

Bow-kay

I'm Scottish

VivienneDelacroix · 16/03/2023 21:46

Although it is slightly more complicated as the ou sound in French may sound like "oo" to an English ear, but is a softer sound. So the words "tu" and "tout" are pronounced differently, but are often both pronounced as "too" by English speakers. But definitely never "bo".

VivienneDelacroix · 16/03/2023 21:47

ChocolateTea · 16/03/2023 21:44

ah thank you! What kind of pronunciations change then? (Genuinely interested as I find accents fascinating)

Show quote history

www.talkinfrench.com/french-regional-accents/

shakeitoffsis · 16/03/2023 21:47

Boo kay

KirstenBlest · 16/03/2023 21:48

@VivienneDelacroix , I don't say to and too the same way, or tu and tout.

Highlyflavouredgravy · 16/03/2023 21:49

Bow-kay

WhisperingAutistic · 16/03/2023 21:52

Bo kay
Lancashire

olympicsrock · 16/03/2023 21:52

dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/bouquet

english is boo- kay
american is Bow- kay

PriamFarrl · 16/03/2023 21:54

I’d pronounce it b’kay.

FineThings · 16/03/2023 21:54

Boo kay
Ive never heard anyone say it any differently, I’ve been saying it to myself the other way and it sounds so weird

shockthemonkey · 16/03/2023 21:55

ChocolateTea · 16/03/2023 21:25

So saying “this is how it’s pronounced in French” might not be fully accurate as different areas might pronounce it differently?

Show quote history

All parts of France would pronounce it Boo Kay. There would be a slightly more twangy quality to the vowels in the south, but it wouldn’t take it any closer to Bo Kay. Bo Kay is simply wrong if you’re trying to keep to the French pronunciation. Boo Kay it is.

Dont get me started on lingerie. Somehow in the US we get Lon Jeray instead of Lan Jeree. Chaise Longue is another strange one. Shays Lounge? Wtf?