How do you pronounce "Knize"?
- Thread starter kossi
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I would say like knife, but with a z.
The name is actually Czech, spelled with a caret over the z, meaning duke or prince. That would be pronounced k-neezh-uh. I think the Austrians (even though the German z is pronounced ts) pronounce it a bit softer, k-neesh-uh.
No, this is not my intelligence speaking. I found this explanation elsewhere when I was curious about the pronunciation myself!
No, this is not my intelligence speaking. I found this explanation elsewhere when I was curious about the pronunciation myself!
Hahah, I honestly have no clue! I always just pronounced it "ken-zee" in my head...
An old lengthy thread in Basenotes and some new responses to a query I posted revealed a lot of general disagreement, but generally came down on ku-neez-eh or k-neet-zeh.
I think because it's a Czech name, that became a product of a German speaking Austrian company, there are probably three distinct pronunciations. Czech, Austrian German and German. Then we make it "nize."
I'll ask my German speaking buddy next week who has no familiarity with the product and see what he spits out.
But one poster made an assertion that the company for a time primarily marketed themselves in English and were quite content to be called the anglicized "nize." He also pointed out that the EdT is most properly called "The Knize 10."
I'm all for proper pronunciation but have always found when wallet is in hand, SAs quickly know what "Tear duh Her-mies" or "Boys do Porch-u-gal" means.
I think because it's a Czech name, that became a product of a German speaking Austrian company, there are probably three distinct pronunciations. Czech, Austrian German and German. Then we make it "nize."
I'll ask my German speaking buddy next week who has no familiarity with the product and see what he spits out.
But one poster made an assertion that the company for a time primarily marketed themselves in English and were quite content to be called the anglicized "nize." He also pointed out that the EdT is most properly called "The Knize 10."
I'm all for proper pronunciation but have always found when wallet is in hand, SAs quickly know what "Tear duh Her-mies" or "Boys do Porch-u-gal" means.
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I suppose a German member, or someone who speaks and has a good long distance plan could always call them
http://knize.at/de/content/1.html
I've just been saying "k-neez-uh"
http://knize.at/de/content/1.html
I've just been saying "k-neez-uh"
A BNer who went to Vienna said they pronounce it k-NEE-zheh and another said the company itself says k nee sheh which is the Czech pronunciation.
I'd really gotten "Nize" stuck in my head. Oh well.
I'd really gotten "Nize" stuck in my head. Oh well.
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I am Czech so if Czech pronunciation is what you're after the best approximation would be k-NYEE-zheh if that makes any sense to you. There are only two syllables (kni-ze) but I guess the two consonant sounds at the beginning will pose a bit of a challenge to most native English speakers. The 'n' sound is softened (like Italian 'gn' in 'gnocchi'). Hope this helps.
(I've recorded the pronunciation as mp3 but I don't think there's a way to attach a sound recording.)
(I've recorded the pronunciation as mp3 but I don't think there's a way to attach a sound recording.)
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- #11
jenic, thanks!
BTW... I knew that and do believe people should try to pronounce it in this way, but I was not sure what is the common pronunciation in the English speaking countries as well as in the German speaking countries. As I mentioned in the beginning - I didn't understand my friend when he said 'nice" or maybe "nize"...and when I realized what he meant - didn't know is that the way it is pronounced in America or he just didn't know the right one.
BTW... I knew that and do believe people should try to pronounce it in this way, but I was not sure what is the common pronunciation in the English speaking countries as well as in the German speaking countries. As I mentioned in the beginning - I didn't understand my friend when he said 'nice" or maybe "nize"...and when I realized what he meant - didn't know is that the way it is pronounced in America or he just didn't know the right one.
It's pronounced "aw-sum"
I just say Knize.
I feel like I might have some good insight on this. My family is Czech and Polish, we've always pronounced it as "nize", n+eyes. The k and e are both silent.
"Knot 4 me"
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