The language – or languages – we grow up with shapes the way we speak, think, and even perceive the world. Of all the languages in the world, there are none that share the same sound or pronunciation.
For monolinguists, learning new sounds and patterns can be challenging as they’ve never had to pronounce them before. Additionally, a 2018 MIT study suggests that the best time to learn a language is before the age of 10 to achieve at least native proficiency.
When it comes to pronunciations, brand names may not necessarily be pronounced the way they’re spelt, just like words like Worcestershire and Leicester. To identify the correct way to pronounce luxury brands and brand names, it’s imperative to recognise their country of origin for better linguistic cues.
For instance, take the word ‘tomato’. Tomato can be pronounced as toh-mah-toe or toe-mae-toe, and while there is no right and wrong, brands are often tied closely to their native language.
With that said, mispronouncing a brand’s name may change its entire meaning, especially for non-English words. Brush up on your brand knowledge and learn how to pronounce these brand names correctly to show your expertise.
How To Pronounce These International Brand Names
1. A’Pieu
How to pronounce A’Pieu correctly: Ah-pyoo
2. ASUS
How to pronounce ASUS correctly: Ay-suss
3. Audi
How to pronounce Audi correctly: Ow-dee
4. Axiata
How to pronounce Axiata correctly: Ak-zee-ah-tah
5. Balmain
How to pronounce Balmain correctly: Bahl-mahn
6. Beiersdorf
How to pronounce Beiersdorf correctly: Bei-ers-dorph
7. Buick
How to pronounce Buick correctly: Byue-ik
8. Burberry
How to pronounce Burberry correctly: Beh-beh-ry
9. Bvlgari
How to pronounce Bvlgari correctly: Buhl-guh-ree
10. Cartier
How to pronounce Cartier correctly: Kar-tyey
11. Chanel
How to pronounce Chanel correctly: Shah-nel
12. Chevrolet
How to pronounce Chevrolet correctly: Shev-ro-lay
13. Chopard
How to pronounce Chopard correctly: Shop-arr
14. Christian Louboutin
How to pronounce Christian Louboutin correctly: Kris-tyah loo-boo-tan
15. Cointreau
How to pronounce Cointreau correctly: Kwan-troh
16. Comme des Garçons
How to pronounce Comme des Garçons correctly: Comb-day Gar-sohn
17. COSRX
How to pronounce COSRX correctly: Kos-ar-ex
18. Dolce & Gabbana
How to pronounce Dolce & Gabbana correctly: Dol-chay eh Ga-ban-eh
19. Estée Lauder
How to pronounce Estée Lauder correctly: Ehs-tay lau-der
20. Fjällräven
How to pronounce Fjällräven correctly: Fee-el rareven
21. Ferrero Rocher
How to pronounce Ferrero Rocher correctly: Feh-reh-roh Roh-shay
22. Genting Group
How to pronounce Genting Group correctly: Gern-ting Groop
23. Givenchy
How to pronounce Givenchy correctly: Zhee-von-she
24. Godiva
How to pronounce Godiva correctly: Go-dee-vuh
25. Harrods
How to pronounce Harrods correctly: Har-ruhds
26. Heineken
How to pronounce Heineken correctly: Hy-nuh-kuhn
27. Hermès
How to pronounce Hermès correctly: Er-mess
28. Hoegaarden
How to pronounce Hoegaarden correctly: Hoo-gar-den
29. Huawei
How to pronounce Huawei correctly: Hwa-way
30. Hublot
How to pronounce Hublot correctly: Oo-blow
31. Hyundai
How to pronounce Hyundai correctly: Hun-day
32. IKEA
How to pronounce IKEA correctly: Ih-kay-ah
33. Jean Paul Gaultier
How to pronounce Jean Paul Gaultier correctly: Zhon Paul Go-tee-ay
34. Keurig
How to pronounce Keurig correctly: Keer-ech
35. Laneige
How to pronounce Laneige correctly: La-ne-jeu
36. L’Occitane
How to pronounce L’Occitane correctly: Lox-ee-tahn
37. Louis Vuitton
How to pronounce Louis Vuitton correctly: Loo-ee Vwee-tton
38. Mattel
How to pronounce Mattel correctly: Muh-tell
39. Michelin
How to pronounce Michelin correctly: Mih-shuh-lan
40. Mont Blanc
How to pronounce Mont Blanc correctly: Mon-blank
41. Moschino
How to pronounce Moschino correctly: Mos-key-no
42. Nestlé
How to pronounce Nestlé correctly: Nes-lay
43. Nike
How to pronounce Nike correctly: Nai-key
44. Nutella
How to pronounce Nutella correctly: New-tell-uh
45. Ogilvy
How to pronounce Ogilvy correctly: Oh-geel-vee
46. Peugeot
How to pronounce Peugeot correctly: Peoh-zhoh
47. Pierre Cardin
How to pronounce Pierre Cardin correctly: Pee-air car-dohn
48. Porsche
How to pronounce Porsche correctly: Por-schuh
49. Renault
How to pronounce Renault correctly: Ren-oh
50. Schwarzkopf
How to pronounce Schwarzkopf correctly: Shwartz-kof
51. Sime Darby
How to pronounce Sime Darby correctly: Sime Dar-bee
52. SK-II
How to pronounce SK-II correctly: As-kay Two
53. Sulwhasoo
How to pronounce Sulwhasoo correctly: Suhl-ha-soo
54. Tag Heuer
How to pronounce Tag Heuer correctly: Tag hoy-ah
55. The Saem
How to pronounce The Saem correctly: The-sem
56. Tissot
How to pronounce Tissot correctly: Tee-saw
57. Twinings
How to pronounce Twinings correctly: Twy-nings
58. Uniqlo
How to pronounce Uniqlo correctly: Yoo-nee-glo
59. Versace
How to pronounce Versace correctly: Ver-sarch-eh
60. Yves Saint Laurent
How to pronounce Yves Saint Laurent correctly: Eve San Lo-rah
Why Certain Brand Names Are Difficult To Pronounce
According to Leverage EDU, the most difficult languages to learn are Mandarin, Arabic, Telugu, Japanese, Polish, Turkish, Russian, Vietnamese, Finnish, and Korean. This is because these languages focus on tones and tough pronunciations, compared to phonetics and vowels.
In comparison, English speakers will find it easier to gain proficiency in Dutch, Norwegian, Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. As these languages share common English words – albeit with different meanings – its mastery is achievable.
Pronouncing brand names accurately may take time and practice, but once you’ve gained proficiency, the language barriers will come down. Even if you’re older than 10 years old, learning a new language is a formidable achievement – be it from a different country, sign language, or even programming language.
