12 Most Difficult French Words To Pronounce

Most of us believe that French is a very melodic language. Many of its words sound so romantic to our ears—at least until we hear the most difficult French words to pronounce... dun dun dun.

Does that change our perception of the language? Maybe, maybe not. But regardless of the struggle, the verdict remains: French has a distinct, special sound. Think of these hardest French words as the ones that make this Romance language extra special!

1. Mille-feuille: (mil-fu-yuh)
   Meaning: French puff pastry made of layers, meaning “a thousand leaves.”
2. Inébranlablement: (in-ey-brah-lah-blah-moh)
   Meaning: An adverb meaning unbreakably or unwaveringly.
3. Serrurerie: (sey-ruh-ruh-ree)
   Meaning: Locksmithing or a locksmith's shop.
4. Écureuil: (ey-kyu-re-uy)
   Meaning: Squirrel.
5. Chirurgien: (chi-ruhr-jyan)
   Meaning: Surgeon.
6. Vadrouiller: (vad-rwee-yeh)
   Meaning: To wander or roam around.
7. Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobie: (ek-sa-ko-si-oy-ek-see-kon-ta-ek-sa-fo-bee)
   Meaning: Fear of the number 666.
8. Bouilloire: (boo-lwah)
   Meaning: Kettle.
9. Fauteuil: (foh-teuy)
   Meaning: Armchair.
10. Quincaillerie: (kahn-kay-yeh-ree)
    Meaning: Hardware store.
11. Caoutchouc: (kowt-schuk)
    Meaning: Rubber.
12. Heureuse: (eu-reuh-zuh)
    Meaning: Happy (feminine).