Pronunciation Guide • English (from French)

How to Pronounce naïve

Difficulty: easy

IPA Transcription

/naɪˈiːv/

Why is it so hard to pronounce?

ny-EEV. Two syllables. The diaeresis (ï) indicates the two vowels are pronounced separately: NAH-EEV. In English this is typically simplified to "ny-EEV" rhyming with "believe".

💡 Pro Tip for naïve

ny-EEV. Rhymes with "believe". Two syllables.

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Word Origins

The term naïve originates from French "naïf/naïve". Understanding its etymology helps explain why it breaks standard pronunciation rules.