How to pronounce Californian
Say it like kal-ih-FOR-nyun. Californian 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 Californian. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kal
- ih
- FOR
- nyun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Californian 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.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- nyunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of Californian
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: kal-ih-FAW-nyun.
What does Californian mean?
- a native or resident of California
- of or relating to or characteristic of California or its inhabitants“Californian beaches”
Questions about saying Californian
How do you pronounce Californian?
Say kal-ih-FOR-nyun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkælɪˈfɔrnjən/. In British English it is /ˌkælɪˈfɔːnjən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Californian?
Californian has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FOR). Broken into parts: kal · ih · FOR · nyun.
Is Californian 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 /ˌkælɪˈfɔːnjən/ (kal-ih-FAW-nyun).