How Do You Spell AU PAIR?

Pronunciation: [ˌə͡ʊ pˈe͡ə] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "au pair" is derived from French and it is pronounced as /oʊ ˈpɛər/. The phonetic transcription indicates that the first syllable has a long "o" sound followed by a schwa sound, while the second syllable begins with a plosive "p" sound and ends with a long "air" sound. The word refers to a young person who lives with a host family in a foreign country to help with domestic chores in exchange for room, board, and pocket money.

AU PAIR Meaning and Definition

  1. An au pair refers to a young foreign person, usually between the ages of 18 to 30, who resides in a foreign country with a host family in order to provide assistance with childcare, light household chores, or language learning. The term "au pair" originated from the French word "au pair," meaning "on equal terms" or "on par." The essence of the au pair arrangement entails a cultural exchange experience, where the au pair has an opportunity to immerse themselves in the language, lifestyle, and customs of the host country, while simultaneously providing support to the host family.

    In general, the au pair is treated as a temporary family member and receives lodging, meals, and a small financial stipend known as pocket money in exchange for their services. The responsibilities of an au pair primarily revolve around childcare, which may include supervising children, assisting in school activities, preparing meals, and occasionally helping with household chores. Unlike a babysitter or nanny, the au pair is not considered an employee but rather an individual who actively participates in family life.

    An au pair program serves as a bridge between cultural exchange and childcare needs for both the au pair and the host family. It offers an enriching experience for the au pair, who gains exposure to a new culture, language skills, and personal growth. Simultaneously, the host family benefits from affordable and flexible childcare, cultural exchange, and the opportunity to expose their children to a different culture and language.

Common Misspellings for AU PAIR

  • zu pair
  • su pair
  • wu pair
  • qu pair
  • ay pair
  • ah pair
  • aj pair
  • ai pair
  • a8 pair
  • a7 pair
  • au oair
  • au lair
  • au -air
  • au 0air
  • au pzir
  • au psir
  • au pwir
  • au pqir
  • au paur

Etymology of AU PAIR

The word "au pair" comes from the French language. "Au" means "on" or "at", and "pair" means "equal". In the 19th century, "au pair" was used to describe a situation where two families would agree to exchange their daughters to live with each other's households. This cultural exchange allowed the daughters to learn another language, experience a different culture, and help with household tasks. Over time, the term "au pair" specifically began to refer to a young person who lives with a host family in a foreign country to learn the language and assist with childcare and household responsibilities.

Plural form of AU PAIR is AU PAIRS

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