Maria
Professional Teacher
Hello, what is more, correct and common to say navel or belly button? When I say navel people don't understand me or I'm not pronouncing it right either 😆. Thanks for the help.
Aug 3, 2022 5:55 PM
Answers · 21
1
Hi Maria. I mean, you can even call it an umbilicus as far as I and any general practitioner are concerned but the chances are you won't be understood by the majority of people. Navel (/ˈneÉȘv(ə)l/ ) is also not something commonly used. "Belly button" on the other hand is more commonly used! In my opinion, in spoken English, we should try to stick to what is more commonly used. By the way, a fun way to remember the pronunciation: navel rhymes with table. Also, navel and naval are homophones. 😁 Have a good one.
August 3, 2022
1
In America, we usually say "bellybutton". Note that "navel" really is pronounced the same as "naval", so pay attention to context. An italki user asked a question the other day about "navel", spelling it correctly, and I still needed to confirm it wasn't a misspelling of "naval". https://www.italki.com/post/4YLCexv23UCvsPrHyTFWb3
August 3, 2022
1
No-one I know says "navel" except in the expression "navel-gazing" (or similar phrases alluding to that expression). It sounds exactly like "naval" and it's a fairly obscure word. Actually I didn't know it was a synonym of belly-button until I saw your post (and I'm a native speaker).
August 5, 2022
1
You are using the correct terminology. British people use both. Belly button is simply less formal. Pronounced: Nay-vul
August 3, 2022
1
Belly button
August 4, 2022
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