LingoDrop
French · Pronunciation Guide
How do you pronounce "la chemise" in French?
la shuh-MEEZ — "ch" is "sh", the middle vowel is a schwa, and the "s" is a "z".
la che-MISE, weight on the final syllable with the middle one reduced. Three written syllables, often two spoken ones.
Listen: la chemise
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Sound it out
Hear it in a sentence
Je repasse ma chemise.
I'm ironing my shirt.
Listen: Je repasse ma chemise.
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"Je repasse ma chemise" uses "repasser" for ironing — a verb that also means to pass again or to retake an exam, so context is everything. The doubled "ss" keeps it a hiss: ruh-PASS. Note the possessive "ma" agrees with the feminine noun, and that the middle schwa of "repasse" also tends to drop.
Where English speakers slip
An English "ch" and an unvoiced "s" together give "cheh-MEESS". Both need fixing: "sh" at the front, "z" at the back. Learners also over-articulate the middle schwa. And note the English borrowing "chemise" has drifted in meaning — the French word is an ordinary button-up shirt.