How to pronounce congratulation
Say it like kun-grach-uh-LAY-shun. Congratulation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (LAY).
- kun
- grach
- uh
- LAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Congratulation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- grachGive 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.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of congratulation
American and British speakers say congratulation in essentially the same way: /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃən/ in the US and /kənˌɡrædʒʊˈleɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-graj-uu-LAY-shun.
What does congratulation mean?
- The act of congratulating.“May I present my warmest congratulations?”
Where does congratulation come from?
From Middle English congratulacion, from Middle French congratulation or its etymon Latin congrātulātiō, from congrātulor (“to congratulate”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- congratulating
- felicitation
Words that rhyme with congratulation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of congratulation.
Questions about saying congratulation
How do you pronounce congratulation?
Say kun-grach-uh-LAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃən/. In British English it is /kənˌɡrædʒʊˈleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in congratulation?
Congratulation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (LAY). Broken into parts: kun · grach · uh · LAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say congratulation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃən/ and the British form is /kənˌɡrædʒʊˈleɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.