How is the capital of South Dakota, which is spelled Pierre, pronounced?

Although the name is of French origin, locals (aka natives of the state) refer to the state capital city using words that sound in a similar manner, such as in pier (where a ship docks), or peer (as in to look at something intently).

From Wikipedia: Pierre (pɪər/ peer) is the capital of the state of South Dakota and the county seat of Hughes County. The population was 13,646 at the 2010 census, making it the second least populous state capital after Montpelier, Vermont. Founded in 1880 on the Missouri River opposite Fort Pierre, Pierre has been the capital since South Dakota gained statehood on November 2, 1889. It was chosen for its location in the geographic center of the state. Fort Pierre itself was named after Pierre Chouteau, Jr., an American fur trader from St. Louis, Missouri who was of colonial French origin.

Pierre is the principal city of the Pierre Statistical Area, which includes all of Hughes and Stanley counties.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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89 Comments

Jeannine Desautels

I am French and I am telling you that your answer is wrong! It’s Pee-aire

misterk

I live in South Dakota and have since 2006. The only times I have heard any pronunciation other than “peer” is when it’s someone not from here or when I’m joking around with people I know. Here are a couple others from South Dakota, Belle Fourche and Bear Butte.

Susan Cece MacVicar

The locals call it "peer".

Ludlow Bushmat

Jeannine Desautels, well...the french might say it that way...but in South Dakota they pronounce it their way. Maybe you should raise a question about how it is pronounced wherever you are from.

Joe

Another example of Americans butchering the names of foreign places, such as Versailles, Milan, Peru, etc

Pat Wells

Who knew? Probably only those who live there. Not exactly tourist attraction.

Jaimi McEntire

I have never called it "peer" out loud. Everyone uses the French pronunciation.

Lawanta

And don't forget to stop by the Corn Palace while you're there! 🌽

Sean Philips

The answer is ‘incorrectly’.

Carl Belken

Got R wrong!

Carol Focht Cheney

Who would know this unless you live there?

Carol Ann Lapadot-Schell

Jeannine Desautels, That's what my school teacher told me.

Chris Braun

Peter Robertson, just like it's spelled but sault becomes soo. Soo saint Marie, right?

Steven Miller

Peter Robertson, I know how to pronounce that one! It's also in Michigan.

Peter Robertson

Hey,that's how they pronounce it so that's it! Stop moaning.Here's one. Sault St. Marie in Canada.Go on,nail it,that's so long as you've never been there.