How to pronounce charlatan
Say it like SHAR-luh-tun. Charlatan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce charlatan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHAR
- luh
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Charlatan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of charlatan
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: SHAH-luh-tun.
What does charlatan mean?
- A malicious trickster; a fake person, especially one who deceives for personal profit.
Where does charlatan come from?
From Middle French charlatan, from Old Italian ciarlatano (“quack”), a blend of ciarlatore (“chatterer”) + cerretano (“hawker, quack”, literally “native of Cerreto”) (Cerreto di Spoleto being a village in Umbria, known for its quacks).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying charlatan
How do you pronounce charlatan?
Say SHAR-luh-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɑrlətən/. In British English it is /ˈʃɑːlətən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in charlatan?
Charlatan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHAR). Broken into parts: SHAR · luh · tun.
Is charlatan 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 /ˈʃɑːlətən/ (SHAH-luh-tun).