Pronunciation Guide • English (from French)
How to Pronounce lieutenant
Difficulty: hard
IPA Transcription
/lɛfˈtɛnənt/ (US) or /lɛˈtɛnənt/ (UK)
Why is it so hard to pronounce?
American: lef-TEN-unt. British: luh-TEN-unt. The bizarre American pronunciation of "lef" comes from an older Anglo-French variant. The British pronunciation drops the "f" entirely. Two valid pronunciations, both official.
💡 Pro Tip for lieutenant
USA: lef-TEN-unt. UK: luh-TEN-unt. Both correct in their regions.
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Hear 'lieutenant' Audio Now →Word Origins
The term lieutenant originates from French "lieu" (place) + "tenant" (holding). Understanding its etymology helps explain why it breaks standard pronunciation rules.