How to pronounce barbarian
Say it like bar-BER-ee-un. Barbarian has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BER).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American to hear how to pronounce barbarian. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/bɑrˈbɛriən/bar-BER-ee-un
UK BritishNo British transcription yet. The audio still plays in this accent.
- bar
- BER
- ee
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Barbarian pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- barKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- BERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
What does barbarian mean?
noun
- a member of an uncivilized people
- a crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement
- without civilizing influences“barbarian invaders”“barbaric practices”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with barbarian
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of barbarian.
- humanitarian
- vegetarian
- authoritarian
- librarian
- libertarian
- ovarian
- sectarian
- totalitarian
- agrarian
- veterinarian
Questions about saying barbarian
How do you pronounce barbarian?
Say bar-BER-ee-un. The American pronunciation is /bɑrˈbɛriən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in barbarian?
Barbarian has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BER). Broken into parts: bar · BER · ee · un.