How to pronounce balalaika
Say it like bal-uh-LY-kuh. Balalaika has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce balalaika. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- bal
- uh
- LY
- kuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Balalaika pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- balKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of balalaika
American and British speakers say balalaika in essentially the same way: /bæləˈlaɪkə/ in the US and /bæləˈlaɪkə/ in the UK.
British respelling: bal-uh-LY-kuh.
What does balalaika mean?
- A plucked stringed instrument with a triangular body, short neck and three strings, of Russian origin.
Words that rhyme with balalaika
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of balalaika.
Questions about saying balalaika
How do you pronounce balalaika?
Say bal-uh-LY-kuh. The American pronunciation is /bæləˈlaɪkə/. In British English it is /bæləˈlaɪkə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in balalaika?
Balalaika has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LY). Broken into parts: bal · uh · LY · kuh.
Do Americans and Brits say balalaika the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /bæləˈlaɪkə/ and the British form is /bæləˈlaɪkə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.