4 syllables: Le, der, ho, sen. Stress on Le.
LAY-dur-hoh-zuhn
/ˈleɪ.dɚˌhoʊ.zən/
Lederhosen is pronounced LAY-dur-hoh-zuhn (/ˈleɪ.dɚˌhoʊ.zən/). It has four syllables (Le-der-ho-sen), with the stress on "Le". Lederhosen is a plural noun referring to knee-length leather trousers traditionally worn by men in Bavaria and parts of Austria, typically with decorative embroidery and suspenders. It evokes Bavarian culture and folk dress, especially during festivals like Oktoberfest. The term combines German roots for leather and pants, signaling a rustic, regional garment that remains iconic in Alpine communities.
nounLederhosen is a plural noun referring to knee-length leather trousers traditionally worn by men in Bavaria and parts of Austria, typically with decorative embroidery and suspenders. It evokes Bavarian culture and folk dress, especially during festivals like Oktoberfest. The term combines German roots for leather and pants, signaling a rustic, regional garment that remains iconic in Alpine communities.
"During Oktoberfest, many men wear lederhosen with a colorful checkered shirt."
"The lederhosen fit snugly and often feature rustic embroidery."
"Tourists sometimes borrow lederhosen for photo opportunities at beer halls."
Lederhosen is pronounced le-der-HO-sen, with stress on the second syllable. IPA: US /ˈlɛ.dɚˌhoʊ.zən/, UK /ˈle.nə(h)ˌhəʊ.zən/? (note: standard German would be /ˈleː.dɐˌhoː.zən/). In practice, say LAY-der-HOH-zən, with a light rhotic American r and a long o in the second syllable. Break it into syllables: Le-der-ho-sen; the middle syllable carries the primary beat in many English contexts. Listen to native German pronouncing it as Lederhosen to approximate authentic vowel qualities; aim for a steady rhythm with crisp final -zen.
Common mistakes include reducing the second syllable: say HO instead of HOH, and misplacing the stress by flattening the second syllable. Also avoid merging -hosen into a single syllable; keep HO-sen as two beats, and ensure the final -sen is softly pronounced rather than silent. Practice with: LE-der-HO-sen; emphasize the long O in HO, and keep a light, clear final -zən sound. IPA reminders: /ˈlɛ.dɚˌhoʊ.zən/.
In US English, the R in Leder appears; the HO syllable tends to carry the vowel diphthong /oʊ/. In UK English, you’ll hear a shorter vowel in HO and a less rhotic initial consonant blend, while Australian speakers may have slightly flatter vowels with a broader /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ value. The German root maintains a hard H, but English tends to reduce vowels. The final -zen often becomes -zən or -zən with schwa. IPA cues help: US /ˈlɛ.dɚˌhoʊ.zən/, UK /ˈle.dəˌhəʊ.zən/, AU /ˈleː.dəˌhəʊ.zən/.
Three challenges: the two-external-phoneme sequence in German-influenced compounds, the long stressed second syllable HO with a diphthong, and the final zən cluster that makes the ending tricky for non-native listeners. The word also uses a potential mid-vowel in the first syllable and a rolled or alveolar sound in German-influenced pronunciation. Practicing by isolating HO and -zən, then linking them slowly, helps you approximate authentic English usage more easily.
A unique consideration is the German diphthong quality in the HO sound and the subtle, non-silent -s- before -en; many English speakers produce a soft -z- or even turn the final -en into -ən. Focus on keeping the -ho sound crisp, not like a pure /ɔ/ or /a/. The placement of stom, mouth shape, and the breath before the final consonants are key to a natural rhythm.
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Lederhosen originates from German: Leder means leather and Hosen means trousers or pants. The compound reflects the garment’s material and purpose. The term appears in old Bavarian and Austrian inventories and folk songs; its usage became widely associated with Alpine attire in the 19th and 20th centuries, paralleling the popularization of Bavarian culture abroad. The first known uses appear in regional dialects and catalogs that describe leather breeches worn by rural workers and cattle herders. As uniform elements of traditional costume, Lederhosen’s meaning broadened from generic leather trousers to a symbol of Bavarian identity. Its modern perception as festive attire was cemented by Oktoberfest and tourism marketing, where Lederhosen denotes both historic craftsmanship and cultural celebration. The word’s pronunciation, rooted in Standard German phonology, preserves the glottal and alveolar consonant patterns that mark German loanwords in English contexts, typically pronounced with the initial stressed syllable and a clear “e” sound in “Leder.”
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Words that rhyme with "Lederhosen"
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