How to Pronounce Oregon
Listen to someone say "Oregon"., Emphasize the first syllable., Say "Oregon" quickly., Practice pronouncing "Oregon".
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Listen to someone say "Oregon".
Visit the state, if possible, or speak with someone who has spent time there.
Listen to an audio pronunciation sample: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtAPSR6KNT4 -
Step 2: Emphasize the first syllable.
The correct pronunciation uses three syllables: "OR"
"ih" and "gun".
The first syllable is long but the last two syllables are very short.
Remember: it's "ORegon"
not "orEgon" or "oreGON".
The pronunciation of "or" is straightforward: say it like the word "or" or "for".
Pronounce the middle syllable (the "e") the way you would pronounce the "i" in "it".
You can also pronounce it like the "e" in "egg".
Pronounce the last syllable ("gon") like the word "gun" or "gehn".
Make sure to pronounce the hard "g"
-- say it like "gun"
not like "gin".
Whatever you do, avoid pronouncing the "gon" like the last syllable in Greek words "decagon" or "polygon".
Native Oregonians will be quick to tell you that it isn't "Or-e-gone".
The ON sound in the French word Oregon is the same as the ON sound in "dragon" and also the same as next door Washington. , Don't pronounce each syllable as distinctly separate; they should blend together smoothly, but keep the hard sounds coherent.
Some Oregonians slur the middle syllable and pronounce "Oregon" as "Organ"
but this is not the traditional pronunciation. , Practice in front of a mirror until you get it right.
Make sure that you get the pronunciation mostly right before you talk about the state in front of people, but don't worry too much: as long as people know which state you're talking about, you'll be okay.
Just don't say "Or-e-gone". -
Step 3: Say "Oregon" quickly.
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Step 4: Practice pronouncing "Oregon".
Detailed Guide
Visit the state, if possible, or speak with someone who has spent time there.
Listen to an audio pronunciation sample: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtAPSR6KNT4
The correct pronunciation uses three syllables: "OR"
"ih" and "gun".
The first syllable is long but the last two syllables are very short.
Remember: it's "ORegon"
not "orEgon" or "oreGON".
The pronunciation of "or" is straightforward: say it like the word "or" or "for".
Pronounce the middle syllable (the "e") the way you would pronounce the "i" in "it".
You can also pronounce it like the "e" in "egg".
Pronounce the last syllable ("gon") like the word "gun" or "gehn".
Make sure to pronounce the hard "g"
-- say it like "gun"
not like "gin".
Whatever you do, avoid pronouncing the "gon" like the last syllable in Greek words "decagon" or "polygon".
Native Oregonians will be quick to tell you that it isn't "Or-e-gone".
The ON sound in the French word Oregon is the same as the ON sound in "dragon" and also the same as next door Washington. , Don't pronounce each syllable as distinctly separate; they should blend together smoothly, but keep the hard sounds coherent.
Some Oregonians slur the middle syllable and pronounce "Oregon" as "Organ"
but this is not the traditional pronunciation. , Practice in front of a mirror until you get it right.
Make sure that you get the pronunciation mostly right before you talk about the state in front of people, but don't worry too much: as long as people know which state you're talking about, you'll be okay.
Just don't say "Or-e-gone".
About the Author
Cynthia Stokes
Writer and educator with a focus on practical lifestyle knowledge.
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