How to pronounce Bethlehem
Say it like BETH-lih-hem. Bethlehem has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BETH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Bethlehem. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BETH
- lih
- hem
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bethlehem pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BETHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- lihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- hemGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of Bethlehem
American and British speakers say Bethlehem in essentially the same way: /ˈbɛθlɪˌhɛm/ in the US and /ˈbɛθlɪˌhɛm/ in the UK.
British respelling: BETH-lih-hem.
What does Bethlehem mean?
- A town in the Free State province, South Africa.
Questions about saying Bethlehem
How do you pronounce Bethlehem?
Say BETH-lih-hem. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɛθlɪˌhɛm/. In British English it is /ˈbɛθlɪˌhɛm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Bethlehem?
Bethlehem has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BETH). Broken into parts: BETH · lih · hem.
Do Americans and Brits say Bethlehem the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbɛθlɪˌhɛm/ and the British form is /ˈbɛθlɪˌhɛm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.