How to pronounce clave
Say it like KLAYV. Clave is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce clave. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KLAYV
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Clave pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KLAYVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of clave
American and British speakers say clave in essentially the same way: /kleɪv/ in the US and /kleɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: KLAYV.
What does clave mean?
- singular of claves How to pronounce claves
- A characteristic pattern of beats, especially the 3-2 son clave.
Where does clave come from?
From Spanish clave, from Latin clāvis (“key”).
Words that rhyme with clave
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of clave.
Questions about saying clave
How do you pronounce clave?
Say KLAYV. The American pronunciation is /kleɪv/. In British English it is /kleɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in clave?
Clave is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: KLAYV.
Do Americans and Brits say clave the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kleɪv/ and the British form is /kleɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.