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Know Your English (Nov 2001)-24

Know your English

How is ``savoir-faire'' pronounced?


The "a" in the first syllable is like the "a" in "fat", "bat", and "sat". The "v" sounds like the "v" in "vet" and "vegetable"; the final "oir" contains two sounds. The first is like the "w" in "water", "wall", and "was". The second sound is like the "a" in "calm", "balm", and "palm". "Faire" sounds like "fair/fare". Any idea what the expression means? It means having the ability to say or do the right thing in a social situation. Here are a few examples.

*Meena is famous in diplomatic circles for her savoir-faire.

*I wouldn't hire Bhaskar because he doesn't possess the required savoir-faire.

*Srinivas defused the situation through his savoir-faire.


Source:

The Hindu daily, Tuesday, November 27, 2001

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