2 syllables: Di, jon. Stress on Di.
DEE-zhahn
/ˈdiˌʒɑn/
Dijon is pronounced DEE-zhahn (/ˈdiˌʒɑn/). It has two syllables (Di-jon), with the stress on "Di". Dijon is a French proper noun referring to the city in eastern France, renowned for its mustard. In English, it is used as a place name and as a descriptor in culinary contexts (e.g., Dijon mustard). The word is a proper noun that preserves French pronunciation in many contexts, though anglicized variants can occur in casual speech.
nounDijon is a French proper noun referring to the city in eastern France, renowned for its mustard. In English, it is used as a place name and as a descriptor in culinary contexts (e.g., Dijon mustard). The word is a proper noun that preserves French pronunciation in many contexts, though anglicized variants can occur in casual speech.
- You might replace the French /ʒ/ with the English /ʃ/ or /ʒ/ with /dʒ/; keep the correct voicing and place of articulation. - The final nasal /ɔ̃/ is easy to turn into /ɔ/ or /ɔː/; aim for nasalization by lowering your velum and letting air escape nasally. - Stress often lands on the second syllable; don’t over-emphasize the first; keep a light, French-like float on the first syllable and a firm second syllable. - Practice with minimal pairs like /diˈʒɔ̃/ vs /diˈjɔ̃/ to ensure you maintain the palato-alveolar fricative and nasal vowel. These corrections will help you avoid common substitutions and deliver an authentic, natural Dijon pronunciation.
How to Pronounce Dijon
"We visited Dijon to taste the famous mustard and explore its medieval streets."
"Dijon mustard adds a sharp, tangy kick to the sauce."
"The Dijon region is known for wine, coq au vin, and mustard production."
Pronounce as di-JON with the second syllable stressed. In US/UK/AU, the typical IPA is /diˈʒɔːn/ (US) or /diˈʒɔ̃/ (fr, often heard in UK/AU contexts when French pronunciation is preserved). Key sounds: initial /d/ with a light release, /ʒ/ as in measure, and a nasal /ɔ̃/ resembling the French 'on'. You’ll want your tongue close to the palate for /ʒ/, and finish with a nasal flow rather than a hard stop. If you hear Dijon described as “dee-zhon” or “die-zhon,” that’s a softened Americanization; aim for the French /ʒ/. Audio resources like Pronounce or Forvo can help you hear authentic pronunciations.
Common errors include pronouncing the second syllable with /ɔː/ as in ‘dough’, producing /diːˈdʒɒn/ or /diˈdʒɒn/ instead of the French nasal /ɔ̃/. Another mistake is replacing /ʒ/ with /dʒ/ as in ‘de-john’ or softening the /ʒ/ to /z/ or /j/. Correct by practicing the French nasal: keep the back of the tongue lowered to allow the /ɔ̃/ to nasalize and avoid closing the velum too strongly. Practice minimal pair: /diˈʒɔ̃/ vs /diˈʒɔːn/. Listening to native Dijon/ French pronunciations can help train the correct nasal quality.
In US, you’ll often hear /diˈdʒɔːn/ with a more closed final vowel and less nasalization. In UK contexts, many retain a closer French /diˈʒɔ̃/ with a nasalized final vowel and less emphasis on American rhoticity. Australian English tends toward /diˈʒɔ̃ːn/ with a slightly broader vowel and similar nasalization. Core is the /ʒ/ sound and secondary stress pattern; the main regional difference lies in the final vowel’s openness and nasalization and whether the final consonant is released or not.
The difficulty centers on the French nasal /ɔ̃/ in the final syllable and the /ʒ/ sound. English speakers often substitute /ɔː/ or /ɔ/ and mispronounce /ʒ/ as /dʒ/ or /z/. Additionally, the stress pattern on the second syllable can feel counterintuitive to English speakers who expect stress on the first syllable. The combination of a palato-alveolar fricative /ʒ/ and a nasal vowel requires precise tongue placement and air flow control; using French phonetic cues and listening to native French sources helps overcome these hurdles.
A unique aspect is the nasal vowel in the final syllable, which is not typical in many English words. The final “-on” in French is not simply /ɔn/ but /ɔ̃/ with nasalization, which you need to maintain without letting it sound like an open /ɔ/ or a closed /ɔː/. The /ʒ/ sound is also a distinct feature in Dijon, contrasting with more common English /ʃ/ or /ɹ/ patterns. When you say “Dijon,” you should subtly allow air to escape through the nose while maintaining the tongue’s position for /ʒ/.
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- US: /diˈʒɔːn/ with a perhaps less nasal final; keep the /ʒ/ strong and place the tongue high toward the palate. - UK: /diˈʒɔ̃/ with nasalized final; more clipped second syllable and less rhoticity. - AU: /diˈʒɔ̃ːn/ with nasal final and relaxed vowels; similar to UK but often with a broader vowel. - For all, aim for the final nasal, practice with closed mouth posture and breath through the nose to sustain the nasal quality. - IPA references: US /diˈʒɔːn/ or /diˈʒɔ̃/, UK /diˈʒɔ̃/, AU /diˈʒɔ̃ːn/.
Dijon originates from the city name Dijon in the Côte-d’Or department of eastern France. The place name itself is believed to derive from Latin Justinus or a Gaulish root related to “Divos” or “diva,” though the precise pre-Roman etymology is debated. The modern French pronunciation /di.ʒɔ̃/ reflects the typical French phonology: /d/ followed by a voiced palato-alveolar sibilant /ʒ/ and a nasal /ɔ̃/ represented by the final ‘-on’. In English, the word entered global usage due to the renowned Dijon mustard, whose production in the region dates back to the 13th century; the mustard trade helped spread the term and, over time, the city’s name became associated with the condiment. The shift from a geographic to a culinary association occurred as Dijon mustard gained prestige in European cuisines in the 18th–19th centuries. First known English attestations appear in culinary writing and travel literature associated with French gastronomy, reinforcing the city-name-as-proper-noun usage in English-speaking contexts. The word’s identity as a place-based descriptor persists, often signaling authenticity in foods labeled “Dijon” and in regional branding.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Dijon" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Dijon"
-ion sounds
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