Entre Nous is a French loan phrase used as an adjective meaning “between us” or “confidential.” It signals a private, informal exchange and often introduces a statement meant to be kept as a trust. In English contexts, it can describe a casual, intimate tone or a bilateral, private understanding.
"She whispered the details, speaking in an entre nous tone that suggested we were in on the secret."
"The agreement was an entre nous arrangement, not meant for the public record."
"During the meeting, they shared quelques confidences en français, a quiet entre nous exchange."
"The film's dialogue often uses entre nous to create an intimate rapport between characters."
Entre nous is a French compound phrase literally meaning “between us.” Entre derives from Latin inter, via Old French entre, meaning “between, among.” Nous is the French pronoun for “we” (from Latin nos). In French, the phrase is used to denote information shared within a small group or between trusted individuals, often implying discretion or secrecy. The term arrived in English-language usage through sophisticated or formal writing and, in some contexts, through cinema and literature that emphasizes intimate dialogue. It’s typically treated as an invariable phrase in English, preserving the accent and capitalization of the original French; in French typography, it is often written as entre nous (lowercase, with the typical ligatures absent). In modern usage, it communicates a discreet, insider tone, sometimes with a touch of elegance or pretension depending on context. While common in highbrow discourse, it has also become a convenient shorthand in journalism and fashion commentary to signal a special insiders’ conversation. The phrase can stand alone or modify a noun (e.g., entre nous, a confidential note). First known English uses date to the 19th or early 20th century when French phrases circulated in educated circles; however, exact earliest citations vary by corpus, reflecting the broader French influence on English idiomatic speech.
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Words that rhyme with "Entre Nous"
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Pronounce as en-truh noo, with nasal initial ɑ̃ for the first syllable. In careful pronunciation, maintain a French nasal vowel: ɑ̃ is produced with the soft palate lowered and the air resonating nasally, similar to the English “on” in French. The second word is a clean, rounded /nu/ with the /n/ lightly released. Stress falls lightly on the first syllable of each word in sequence? Not exactly; in French, both words are fairly evenly stressed with a final-syllable cadence. IPA approximations: US: ɑ̃tʁə nu, UK: ɑ̃tʁə nu, AU: ɑ̃tʁə nu. For clarity, you can think of it as “ahn-truh noo,” with nasal first vowel and a short, relaxed second word.
Common errors include anglicizing the nasal vowel ɑ̃ by using an /æ/ or /a/ instead of a nasal; misplacing or over-emphasizing the final /nu/ by making it a heavy English syllable. Another error is stressing the second word or giving it equal weight to the first, whereas French cadence tends to be lighter across both. To correct: practice the nasal vowel with a closed nasal, like humming while saying the vowel, and keep /nu/ short and clipped, not drawn out.
In US/UK/AU, the key difference is the nasal vowel ɑ̃, which remains nasal in all, but English listeners may approximate it with a near-open front unrounded vowel [ɑ] or [ɒ]; speakers may reduce the final syllable. The /t/ in entre is often light or elided in rapid speech. Autotranscriptions may render it as ɑ̃tʁə nu with French r [ʁ]; some speakers replace with a simple [ɹ] or even [tɹ] depending on familiarity. In general, keep the nasal quality in all accents, but avoid over-pronouncing the vowels in the second word.
It’s the nasal vowel ɑ̃ and the French /ʁ/ and the fluent, quick transition between words: nasalization requires precise palate control; the French /ʁ/ is a uvular fricative or approximant, which many English speakers substitute with /ʁ/; the linking between words needs smooth, almost withheld air. You’ll hear a softer cadence with less emphasis on the final syllable and careful mouth shape to keep the nasal sound. Focus on nasal resonance and light, non-rolled French r.
A unique aspect is the nasal vowel ɑ̃ in 'Entre', which English speakers often mispronounce as a non-nasal open vowel. Maintain nasalization by lowering the soft palate and letting air escape through the nose while pronouncing the vowel. The /t/ is typically not fully released in careful speech (soft t). Finally, the phrase ends with a short, crisp /nu/ that doesn’t drag. Ensuring nasal resonance and light aspiration in the 't' helps overall accuracy.
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