How to pronounce Bologna
Say it like buh-LOH-nee. Bologna has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOH).
- buh
- LOH
- nee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: The sausage is said 'buh-LOH-nee' in the US. The Italian city keeps the 'nyuh' ending.
Bologna pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of Bologna
American and British speakers say Bologna in essentially the same way: /bəˈloʊni/ in the US and /bəˈlɒnjə/ in the UK.
British respelling: buh-LON-yuh.
What does Bologna mean?
- A province of Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
- The capital city of Emilia-Romagna, Italy, the capital of Bologna and also of Emilia-Romagna.
- A seasoned Italian sausage made from beef, pork or veal.
- Synonym of baloney (“nonsense”).
Where does Bologna come from?
From Italian Bologna, from Latin Bonōnia, ultimately from Celtic.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- mortadella
- baloney
- bologna sausage
Words that rhyme with Bologna
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Bologna.
Words that sound like Bologna
Questions about saying Bologna
How do you pronounce Bologna?
Say buh-LOH-nee. The American pronunciation is /bəˈloʊni/. In British English it is /bəˈlɒnjə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Bologna?
Bologna has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOH). Broken into parts: buh · LOH · nee.
Do Americans and Brits say Bologna the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /bəˈloʊni/ and the British form is /bəˈlɒnjə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as Bologna?
Bologna sounds the same as baloney in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.