How to pronounce California
Say it like kal-uh-FOR-nyuh. California has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce California. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kal
- uh
- FOR
- nyuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
California pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kalGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- nyuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of California
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: kal-ih-FAW-nyuh.
What does California mean?
- The most populous state of the United States. Capital: Sacramento. Largest city: Los Angeles.
Where does California come from?
Probably Spanish after California, a Utopian island of the Amazons described in Las sergas de Esplandián, a 16th-century Spanish novel.
Questions about saying California
How do you pronounce California?
Say kal-uh-FOR-nyuh. The American pronunciation is /ˌkæləˈfɔrnjə/. In British English it is /ˌkælɪˈfɔːnjə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in California?
California has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FOR). Broken into parts: kal · uh · FOR · nyuh.
Is California pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌkælɪˈfɔːnjə/ (kal-ih-FAW-nyuh).