Level B2 (Upper Intermediate)
This lesson explains how to pronounce and use la psychologie, meaning psychology. The pronunciation of this word is pretty tricky. Keep reading!
Pronunciation
Example sentences
Word origin
Pronunciation
Unlike English where psychology starts with an -s sound, both the -p and -s in psychologie must be pronounced: [psikɔlɔʒi]. This is called a consonant blend or adjacent consonants. An example of an English word with adjacent consonants is “stop”.
Example sentences
Ma sœur étudie la psychologie à la Sorbonne.
My sister is studying psychology at the Sorbonne.
All words related to psychologie follow the same pattern where the -ps are pronounced. Hence, pronounce the -ps in psychologue (psychologist), psychologique (psychological) and psychopathe (psychopath).
Un psychologue aide les gens avec leurs problèmes psychologiques.
A psychologist helps people with their psychological problems.
This sentence uses été (was, has been), which is the past participle of être (to be).
Jeffrey Dahmer a été un psychopathe.
Jeffrey Dahmer was a psychopath.
Word origin
Psychologie combines the Greek psyche (spirit, soul) and -logia (study).
Related lessons
Reference
