Learn how to pronounce the word “Brussels” correctly!
Updated on December 23, 2022 by Pierre
How to pronounce the word “Brussels” in Belgium?
But how is this thing pronounced? Brussels? You have probably read this word hundreds of times. However, every time you hear someone say it on TV or on the street, does it sound different? I am the Belgian capital: Brussels !
As a good Belgian, I could not not post an article on how to pronounce it! Should we say "Brussels» «Brussels","Brussels » or, «Brussels"? As you may know, the Belgian vocabulary and accent are filled with many contradictions and subtleties. Here are some language elements. These may help you during your visit to Brussels. If you want to pronounce "Brussels" correctly, don't ask a Frenchman. This could lead you down the wrong path.
Correct pronunciation thanks to the etymology of the word "Brussels"
The original pronunciation of the word "Brussels" is /bʁy.sɛl/. So it's not */bʁyk.sɛl/ as some people think. This peculiarity of pronouncing Brussels is often ignored. Later, Late Latin literally gave x pronunciation: [s]. It is on this phonetic basis that the words " six ", who are " ten ", … Thus Brussels /bʁy.sɛl/ (or even Auxerre /o.sɛʁ/)
Subsequently, in the Middle Ages, the phonetic value of the letter " x " received the value [ʃ]. (under Iberian Arabic influence) We've probably lost most of our readers here, thinking we've arrived in a math class.
To solve the long-awaited riddle (how to pronounce the word Brussels?), you just need to know that during the Renaissance the letter x began to take the pronunciation /ks/. This being due to the influence of popular Greek studies.
Today, the "x" of Brussels, is pronounced "s", as in " sixty ". So you don't have to pronounce it “ks”, As in "boxing". We therefore pronounce “bru-sèl”, and not “bruk-sèl”. The inhabitant of the capital the " Brussels" is therefore pronounced logically " bru-sè-loi” and “ Brussels": " bru-sè-loiz” for girls.
And in Dutch will you tell me? It's easy, the only difference is on the final vowel! Take out the final "e", and you're Dutch speaking.
If this article has made you want to know more about the other communes, you have something to laugh about when you learn how to pronounce them. The municipality of“Ixelles”, well known to French expats, is pronounced «Ikselles". The infamous "Molenbeek" is pronounced "Molenbek" , Schaarbeek: “ Skarbek » In short, the "-eek" are pronounced well and truly -ek and not -èck as you might have thought.. To lose your Latin! You can now do round trips Brussels-Paris by train without having the fear of passing for a tourist by pronouncing the word Brussels.
… In short, there is enough to lose your Latin, it's a bit like the people of Brussels went to Parisse for the weekend 🙂 The best solution is probably still to meet the real people of Brussels. Your best chance for this is probably you. take a walk in the Sablon district where Sunday at the ball game flea market.
“Brussels” pronounced by Jacques Brel!
Did you know that Jacques Brel the famous Belgian singer pronounces it well. You just have to listen to his song to know how to pronounce Brussels in the Belgian way.
Barely a foot in the Belgian capital, Pierre launched “InsideBrussels.be” more than 10 years ago, the idea is simple: “What to do? Where to go to eat or have a drink? “. Entrepreneur at heart, this is not his first project! Far from there. EatLocal.io; KingCard.be, Bricabrac.be … Like wine, with time the project improves!
Pierre does not hesitate to share his favorites and his best addresses of Brussels restaurants that he could recommend to you with his eyes closed.
