How to pronounce archipelago
Say it like ar-kuh-PEL-uh-goh. Archipelago has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (PEL).
- ar
- kuh
- PEL
- uh
- goh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: The ch is a k sound: 'ar-kuh-PEL-uh-goh'.
Archipelago pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- arGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- gohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of archipelago
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ah-kih-PEL-ih-goh.
Other ways to say archipelago
Archipelago also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- ar-chuh-puh-LAY-goh /ˌɑrtʃəpəˈleɪˌɡoʊ/
What does archipelago mean?
- A sea or other body of water with many islands.
- A group of many islands.
- A thing comprising many other scattered things.“the Gulag Archipelago”
- To scatter or strew (a place, or something) with things that collectively resemble a group of many islands.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- randomizer
Questions about saying archipelago
How do you pronounce archipelago?
Say ar-kuh-PEL-uh-goh. The American pronunciation is /ˌɑrkəˈpɛləˌɡoʊ/. In British English it is /ˌɑːkɪˈpɛlɪɡəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in archipelago?
Archipelago has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (PEL). Broken into parts: ar · kuh · PEL · uh · goh.
Is archipelago pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌɑːkɪˈpɛlɪɡəʊ/ (ah-kih-PEL-ih-goh).