Learn How to Pronounce Lausanne | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Lausanne

Quick Answer: In French, the name Lausanne is pronounced [lozan], while in English it is pronounced [loʊˈzæn].
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

Lausanne, a vibrant city on the northern shores of Lake Geneva in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, is a captivating blend of historical grandeur, international influence, and natural beauty. Renowned as the Olympic Capital, it has been the home of the International Olympic Committee since 1915, a status celebrated by the acclaimed Olympic Museum in the Ouchy district. The city's skyline is dominated by the majestic Lausanne Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, while its Old Town (Vieille Ville) offers a labyrinth of cobbled streets, boutique shops, and lively cafes. As a leading Swiss university city, it hosts the prestigious University of Lausanne (UNIL) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), fostering a dynamic, youthful atmosphere. This combination of cultural heritage, sports history, and academic excellence, set against the stunning backdrop of the Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) waterfront and the distant Alps, makes Lausanne a premier destination for tourism, education, and international business conferences.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary spelling "Lausanne" is consistently used in English and French. Common misspellings often arise from phonetic errors or confusion with other similar-sounding European names. Frequent typos include "Lausane" (dropping the second 'n'), "Lausanna" (adding an extra 'n'), and "Lusanne" (beginning with a 'u'). It is also sometimes incorrectly written as "Lausaunne" with a double 'n' in the middle. In historical or specialized texts, one might encounter the Latin name "Lausanna" or the German variant "Lausanne" (same spelling, but pronounced with German phonetics). Travelers should note that while the city is in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, its name does not take a definite article in common usage (one says "in Lausanne," not "in the Lausanne").

Example Sentences

After a morning spent exploring the medieval intricacies of the Lausanne Old Town, we descended the hillside on the metro for a leisurely lunch by the lake in Ouchy.

As the host city for the International Olympic Committee, Lausanne provides an unparalleled backdrop for the annual meeting of global sports federations.

Her decision to pursue a master's degree at the University of Lausanne was influenced by the city's reputation for cutting-edge research in life sciences.

The Gothic spires of Lausanne Cathedral are visible from miles away, serving as a timeless landmark for navigation.

We found the most enchanting view of Lake Geneva not from a promenade, but from the terraced gardens behind the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.

Related Pronunciations

📂 Browse all words in the Other European Geography category ➔