How to pronounce Calais
Say it like kuh-LAY. Calais has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Calais. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- LAY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Calais pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of Calais
American and British speakers say Calais in essentially the same way: /kəˈleɪ/ in the US and /kəˈleɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: kuh-LAY.
What does Calais mean?
- a town in northern France on the Strait of Dover that serves as a ferry port to England; in 1347 it was captured by the English king Edward III after a long siege and remained in English hands until it was recaptured by the French king Henry II in 1558
Words that rhyme with Calais
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Calais.
Questions about saying Calais
How do you pronounce Calais?
Say kuh-LAY. The American pronunciation is /kəˈleɪ/. In British English it is /kəˈleɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Calais?
Calais has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAY). Broken into parts: kuh · LAY.
Do Americans and Brits say Calais the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kəˈleɪ/ and the British form is /kəˈleɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.