Is the 'n' in 'Nguyen' pronounced, or is it silent?

[hamlet]

I vividly recall pondering the pronunciation of the name "Nguyen," which originates from the Vietnamese language. It's a surname with a unique phonetic quality that often leaves people perplexed.

I've always been curious about the pronunciation of this unique surname, and I want to make sure I show the proper respect when addressing someone with this name.

[spice]

This is a Vietnamese name. In this name 'Nguyen,' the 'n' is not pronounced as it would be in English. Instead, the 'Ng' combination represents a unique sound in Vietnamese phonetics. It is a single sound that does not exist in most English words.

To pronounce 'Nguyen' correctly, follow these steps:

Start by saying the 'n' sound, but do not touch the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth as you would in English.

While making the 'n' sound, create a sort of humming or nasal sound in the back of your throat. Imagine the 'ng' sound in the English word 'sing,' but without the 'i' sound at the beginning.

Finally, complete the word by saying 'uyen' with a short, unaccented 'u' sound.

So, 'Nguyen' is pronounced as something like "win" but with the 'w' sound replaced by the unique 'Ng' sound in Vietnamese. It's essential to respect and use the correct pronunciation when addressing individuals with this common Vietnamese surname.

[provokeesmokee]

"Unique".

Tell me you're a racist monolingual American without saying it.

Nguyen is a common last name, buddy. Maybe go hang out with a more diverse crowd.

[Jersey2]

Wow, thats a bit over the top

[provokeesmokee]

Nah, it's perfectly accurate. Only sheltered white kids think non-English names are "unique" or "exotic".

And seriously how few Vietnamese people have you met that you think "Nguyen" is unique or rare?

[Jersey2]

No one knows how to pronounce it in the US as Ng does not start names here. At least he is trying to understand. I have been to Vietnam and throughout Asia and they take pictures of us, ask to have pictures or don’t even ask and just stand near you because you are very tall to them or the American women are blonde. So sell your only sheltered white kids crap elsewhere.

[provokeesmokee]

"No one Vietnamese lives in America"

You're full of these statements that verify you're sheltered, uneducated, monolingual white American boy. Damn.

[Jersey2]

Oh, you’re an idiot… I didn’t get that at first.

[dynamicyandere]

I’m Asian and I’ve had multiple Vietnamese friends with the last name Nguyen.


The ng sounds is actually pronounced together as a single sound, and it doesn’t sound quite like a n or a g because the back of your tongue needs to be placed against the roof of your mouth to make the sound — a position that isn’t used for any English alphabet letter.


The closest would be perhaps the end of the ing sound. So if you say “going” when you are at the ng part of the word, your tongue is almost where it needs to be.


However, if you can’t make the sound, the closest would be to just use the N and ignore the G.


It would be then like ‘nuyen’ but it’s pronounced quickly as one syllable so that it rhymes with ‘win’ almost like ‘nu-win’ but meshed together so it sounds like a single syllable.


I hope that helps! 🙂

[OlderAndWiser]

I believe the "g" is silent, but hopefully you will hear from some Vietnamese users and get a more authoritative answer.

[Lliam]

Most westerners pronounce it "Win".
But I think it's more like Nu'ahn or Nuahng or Nu ahn'. But the "n" if more like "ng" in English.

[Curmudgeon]

The surname is typically pronounced like "win". It's a common surname, like a Vietnamese "Smith".

[DryGermanGuy]

I had a work colleague named Nguyen. It’s pronounced [Nui-yen].

[Astarlessnightsky]

My old roomate was called Dhin Nguyen pronounced Dean Nu-en

[zagor]

It's pronounced something like "when".

But it's not unique; something like 30% of the population of Vietnam has it as a surname. I've even had sex with a girl of that name.

[leahzrc]

I went to school with a girl with that exact last name. The G was silent, the N was pronounced

[leahzrc]

She pronounced it "Nwin"

[AviatorTom]

I know several people with the Nguyen surname. They all pronounce it "when".

[AngryCarl2]

I think it's pronounced "win". You could say it's a "Nyguen-Win Situation".

I know this stuff because I'm into poker.

[AngryCarl2]

I know, I spelled Nguyen wrong. The rest is still true though.

[Dargil]

I think it is Noo-yen. The G is silent. But Ng is pronounced "ing"

[DummyThiccFeraligatr]

I think the ng sound in that name is the same as the ng in English "ring". We have that sound but not at the beginning of words.

[shortster]

I believe it is pronounced like "twin"; at least that is what my coworker who had the name said.

[goaded]

I don't know. Ask her, or look it up!

[Anonymous]

I believe it's pronounced like 'win'

[BLP11520]

I think so