How to Pronounce Malaise
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Malaise Pronunciation
mah-LAYZ
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
mah
LAYZ
stress here
2 syllables
What is Malaise?
A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease that is hard to pinpoint. It is often an early warning sign that the body is fighting an infection or developing a disease.
Questions About Malaise
How do you pronounce 'malaise'?
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Malaise is pronounced mah-LAYZ. The first part sounds like "mah" (rhymes with "spa"), and the second part sounds like "layz" (rhymes with "days"). The stress falls on the second syllable, so you say it a bit louder: mah-LAYZ.
What is the stressed syllable in 'malaise'?
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The stress falls on the second syllable: mah-LAYZ. A common mistake is stressing the first syllable (MAH-layz), which makes it sound wrong. Remember to punch the second syllable to say it correctly.
How many syllables are in 'malaise'?
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Malaise has two syllables: ma-laise. Breaking it down: the first syllable is "ma" and the second is "laise."
Where does the word 'malaise' come from?
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Malaise comes from French, combining "mal-" (meaning "bad") and "-aise" (meaning "ease" or "well-being"). So it literally means "bad ease"—the opposite of feeling well or comfortable.
What does 'malaise' mean in everyday language?
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Malaise means a general feeling of being unwell or uncomfortable that you can't quite describe or point to. It's that vague sense of "something is wrong" without having specific symptoms you can name.
Is 'malaise' spelled differently in British English?
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No, 'malaise' is spelled the same way in both American and British English. The pronunciation and meaning are also the same in both versions.
What are some related words that share the same root as 'malaise'?
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Words like "malady" (a disease or illness) and "malpractice" (bad practice) share the "mal-" prefix, which means "bad." This prefix appears in many medical and everyday words to describe something negative or wrong.
Can you use 'malaise' in a sentence?
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Sure! Here's an example: "After feeling a sense of malaise for two days, she began to notice other symptoms." In this sentence, malaise describes that early, unclear feeling of not being quite right.