Amboise

Pronounce Amboise as am-BOHZ with the second syllable bearing primary stress. In IPA, US/UK/AU commonly render it as /æmˈbwɔːz/ or /æmbwɒz/, reflecting a French-influenced vowel in the second syllable and a final voiced z. The key is the -boise vowel: a rounded back vowel close to /ɔ/ in many English contexts, paired with a voiced alveolar fricative /z/. Position your lips for a rounded, mid-back vowel in the second syllable and avoid a flat English “oi” sound. You’ll want a light dip in the first syllable and a crisp but not explosive completion on -oise. For authenticity, you can listen to native French speakers saying Amboise and adapt the rounded vowel and final z.”,

Common errors include misplacing stress (treating it as AM-boise), over-anglicizing the vowel in the second syllable to /ɔɪ/ or /aɪ/, turning the final -ise into a silent ending or a hard /s/ rather than /z/. Also, speakers may drop the rounding of the second-syllable vowel, producing /æmˈbwoz/ or /æmˈboɪz/ instead of /æmˈbwɔːz/. To correct, emphasize the second syllable with a rounded back vowel like /ɔ/ and finish with a voiced /z/. Listen to native French pronunciations and imitate the subtle rounding.”,

In US English, you’ll often hear /æmˈbwɔːz/ or /æmˈboʊz/ with a slight reduction in vowel length; UK English can favor /æmˈbwɔːz/ with longer vowel duration and clearer /ɔː/ quality; Australian English often yields /æmˈbwɔːz/ but with a more centralized starting /ɐ/ and a brighter /z/ due to broader vowel shifts. The common thread is the stressed second syllable with a rounded back vowel and a final /z/. The French pronunciation would be [ɑ̃bwaz] or [ɑ̃.bwaz], where the nasal vowel and final /z/ differ from English realizations.”,

It’s challenging because of the French-derived -boise cluster and the rounded mid-back vowel in the second syllable, which isn’t a standard English diphthong. English speakers often mispronounce as am-BO-iz or am-BOOS. The problem is the French vowel /wɔ/ sequence and final /z/; many learners default to /iz/ or /z/ only. Achieve accuracy by practicing the rounded /ɔ/ vowel in the second syllable and ensuring the final /z/ is voiced and not devoiced. Practice with native samples to lock the rhythm and vowel quality.”,

A distinctive feature is the subtle length and rounding in the second syllable’s vowel and the precise voicing of the final z, which differs from typical English orthography. The word’s -boise ending also invites attention to the consonant cluster’s onset /bw-/ and the liaison-like feel when connected in phrases, especially in rapid speech. You’ll hear a smooth transition from the /m/ to /b/ with a rounded, mid-back /ɔ/ vowel. This nuance sets Amboise apart from the more common English -oise endings.”,