Pronunciation Guide • English (from French)
How to Pronounce hors d'oeuvres
Difficulty: very hard
IPA Transcription
/ɔːr ˈdɜːrv/
Why is it so hard to pronounce?
or DERVS. The H is silent. "Hors" = "or". The apostrophe and "d'" = nothing audible. "Oeuvres" = "DERVS". This French phrase has so many silent elements it barely resembles its spelling.
💡 Pro Tip for hors d'oeuvres
or-DERVS. Or just say "appetizers" — everyone will understand.
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Hear 'hors d'oeuvres' Audio Now →Word Origins
The term hors d'oeuvres originates from French "hors d'oeuvre" (outside the work). Understanding its etymology helps explain why it breaks standard pronunciation rules.