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Learn How to Pronounce Nanterre | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Nanterre

Quick Answer: The city Nanterre is pronounced [nɑ̃.tɛʁ].
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

Nanterre is a major commune in the western inner suburbs of Paris, France, situated in the département of Hauts-de-Seine within the Île-de-France region. Renowned as a critical administrative and judicial hub, it houses the prefecture of Hauts-de-Seine and the Paris Nanterre University, one of France's largest and most influential universities, which was a focal point of the May 1968 student protests. The city's landscape is defined by a mix of modern high-rise business districts, such as the La Défense area which it partially hosts, and historic quarters, alongside significant cultural institutions like the Nanterre-Amandiers theatre. Its strategic location, excellent public transport links including the RER A and Transilien lines, and its role as an economic center make it a pivotal component of the Greater Paris metropolitan area. Archaeological sites, such as the ancient necropolis, also underscore Nanterre's long history dating back to the Gallo-Roman era.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Nanterre. Common misspellings often arise from phonetic misinterpretations or typographical errors. Frequent variants include "Nanterre" (missing an 'n'), "Nanterre" (swapping the 'a' and 'e'), and "Nanterre" (doubling the 'r' incorrectly). In English contexts, it is sometimes erroneously written with an accent on the first 'e' as "Nantèrre," which is not standard. The name should not be confused with similar-sounding French places like Nantes or Niort. When searching, it is crucial to use the correct spelling to find accurate information about the city, its university, or its prefecture.

Example Sentences

The sprawling campus of Paris Nanterre University has been a center of academic excellence and social activism since its establishment in the 1960s.

Many visitors to La Défense's towering skyscrapers are unaware that a significant portion of the business district actually lies within the commune of Nanterre.

To reach the city's historic center from Paris, one can take the RER A line directly to Nanterre-Préfecture station.

The Nanterre-Amandiers national drama center is renowned for its avant-garde theatrical productions and influential directors.

Archaeologists continue to study the Merovingian-era burial grounds discovered in Nanterre, shedding light on early medieval life in the region.

The prefecture of Hauts-de-Seine, located in Nanterre, handles the administrative affairs for the entire département.

Related Pronunciations


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