2 syllables: Bour, sin. Stress on Bour.
BAWR-sin
/ˈbɔɹsɪn/
Boursin is pronounced BAWR-sin (/ˈbɔɹsɪn/). It has two syllables (Bour-sin), with the stress on "Bour". Boursin is a soft, herb-infused French cheese, typically sold in small rounds. It’s known for its creamy texture and garlic-and-herb flavor. The pronunciation is French in origin, with emphasis on the first syllable and a velar nasal ending in English contexts.
nounBoursin is a soft, herb-infused French cheese, typically sold in small rounds. It’s known for its creamy texture and garlic-and-herb flavor. The pronunciation is French in origin, with emphasis on the first syllable and a velar nasal ending in English contexts.
How to Pronounce Boursin
"I bought a tub of Boursin to serve with baguette slices at the party."
"The Boursin cheese spread pairs beautifully with crackers and fresh herbs."
"She spread Boursin on warm crostini and added cracked pepper."
pronounced as BOOR-zin in many English-speaking contexts, with the first syllable stressed. In French, it’s closer to buʁˈzɛ̃, with a uvular R and nasal vowel; English speakers often anglicize to /ˈbuːərzɪn/ or /ˈbɔːrzɪn/. Focus on the initial /b/, a rounded /uː/ or /u/ vowel, a clear /z/ before the final nasal /ɪn/ or /zɪn/. Audio reference: try a standard French cheese name guide or pronunciation dictionary. IPA notes: US /ˈbɔːrzɪn/ or /ˈbuːərzɪn/, UK /ˈbuːəzɪn/; aim for a steady “BOOR-zin” with a light, clipped second syllable.
Common errors: replacing /ʊ/ with /uː/ in the first syllable, softening the /r/ into a non-rhotic pronunciation, or dropping the /z/ causing /ˈbuːrən/ instead of /ˈbuːrzɪn/. Correction: keep a crisp /z/ between the syllables, roll or tap the tongue for a light /r/ depending on dialect, and choose an accurate vowel for the first syllable (US: /buːr/; UK: /buː/). Practicing with minimal pairs like “Bourin” vs “Boursin” can reinforce the /z/ and final /n/.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈbɔːrzɪn/ or /ˈbuːrzɪn/, with a rhotic R and a strong syllabic onset. UK speakers often preserve a longer /uː/ in the first syllable and a less rhotic approach in rapid speech. Australian speakers commonly blend /ɔː/ or /ɒ/ in the first syllable and maintain a clear /z/ before /ɪn/. IPA guidance focuses on rhotacized vs non-rhotacized variants and vowel length differences; listen for the vowel height and the presence of /z/ in the middle.
It’s tricky due to the French-origin vowel and consonant cluster: a rounded /u/ vowel, a voiced /z/ cluster, and a final nasal /n/. Non-native speakers often underpronounce the final /n/ or merge /z/ with a /s/ sound. The R in many French borrowings is uvular and not present in English; English speakers will approximate it with a light /r/ or alveolar approximant. Practicing with French pronunciation cues like lip rounding and the uvular R can help, then adapting to English norms for clarity in conversation.
Stress is typically on the first syllable: BOOR-zin. In rapid speech or brand/name usage, you may hear a slightly reduced second syllable, but avoid eliminating the /z/; keep the /z/ audible to maintain the word’s identity. The second syllable is unstressed and shorter, with a neutral vowel, so you’ll hear a quick “zin.” IPA: US/UK /ˈbɔːrzɪn/ or /ˈbuːrzɪn/.
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Boursin comes from the French surname of origin, linked to the region and tradition of cheese-making in France. The term likely derives from a family or regional name rather than a general French noun. The cheese itself was popularized in the 1960s by François Boursin in Normandy, and the product quickly spread worldwide with variations in herb blends and garlic, retaining the brand-associated pronunciation. Historically, French cheese names often carry regional identifiers and brand affiliations; Boursin’s modern identity is as much a product brand as a type of soft, spreadable cheese. The first widely commercialized version appeared in the mid-20th century, gaining culinary prominence in North America and beyond as a convenient, ready-to-use cheese spread. Over time, the name has become a recognizable label for a soft, herbaceous cheese product, with regional spelling and pronunciation influenced by non-French speakers, leading to anglicized pronunciations in many markets.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Boursin" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Boursin"
-in? sounds
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