How to pronounce Chardonnay
Say it like char-DON-ay. Chardonnay has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Chardonnay. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- char
- DON
- ay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Chardonnay pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- charKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- DONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ayKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of Chardonnay
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: chah-DON-ay.
What does Chardonnay mean?
- A green-skinned grape variety used to make a white wine.
- A variety of wine made from this grape.
Questions about saying Chardonnay
How do you pronounce Chardonnay?
Say char-DON-ay. The American pronunciation is /tʃɑrˈdɑneɪ/. In British English it is /tʃɑːˈdɒneɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Chardonnay?
Chardonnay has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DON). Broken into parts: char · DON · ay.
Is Chardonnay 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 /tʃɑːˈdɒneɪ/ (chah-DON-ay).