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Learn How to Pronounce Ylvis | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Ylvis

Quick Answer: In Norwegian, the name Ylvis is pronounced /ˈʏ̀lvɪs/.
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

Ylvis is a Norwegian comedy and music duo formed by brothers Bård Ylvisåker and Vegard Ylvisåker. Rising to international fame with their 2013 viral music video "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)", the pair have crafted a unique legacy that masterfully blends absurdist humor, catchy pop music, and sharp cultural satire. Their work extends far beyond their one-hit wonder status, encompassing a prolific career in Norwegian television with popular talk-variety shows like I kveld med Ylvis (Tonight with Ylvis) and Ylvis på holmen (Ylvis at the Pier). The duo's comedic style often involves elaborate musical parodies, clever wordplay, and a deadpan delivery that critiques and celebrates pop culture with equal fervor. Their global phenomenon not only showcased the power of internet virality but also cemented their reputation as innovative performers within the Nordic entertainment industry, consistently producing sketches and songs that resonate with a dedicated international fanbase.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary spelling of the duo's name is Ylvis, which is a shortened, stage-name version of their actual surname, Ylvisåker. A common and understandable error is to misspell it as "Ylvis" with a single 'l', resulting in "Yvis," which is incorrect. Others may mistakenly add an apostrophe, writing "Ylvis'" or "Ylvis's" when intending to show possession, though the correct possessive form is simply "Ylvis's" (e.g., "Ylvis's latest sketch"). Due to the Norwegian letter 'å', their full surname is often misspelled in English contexts as "Ylvisaker" without the ring diacritic. Furthermore, the viral song title is frequently misquoted; the correct title is "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)", but it is commonly referenced erroneously as just "What Does the Fox Say?" or "The Fox Song."

Example Sentences

After the unexpected global success of "The Fox," Ylvis leveraged their newfound international attention to introduce audiences to their broader catalog of sophisticated musical comedies.

Many fans discovered that Ylvis had been producing hilarious and musically complex parodies, like "Stonehenge" and "Jan Egeland," for years on Norwegian television.

The brothers' chemistry is palpable, with Bård often playing the flamboyant performer against Vegard's more stoic, deadpan counterpart.

In a recent interview, Vegard Ylvisåker reflected on how the duo's approach to satire aims to find humor in the mundane as well as the spectacular.

You can spend an entire evening falling down a rabbit hole of Ylvis sketches, each one demonstrating their unique blend of catchy melodies and absurdist premises.

Related Pronunciations



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