How to pronounce congratulations
Say it like kun-grach-uh-LAY-shunz. Congratulations has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce congratulations. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- grach
- uh
- LAY
- shunz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Congratulations 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.
- shunzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of congratulations
American and British speakers say congratulations in essentially the same way: /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/ in the US and /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-grach-uh-LAY-shunz.
What does congratulations mean?
- an expression of approval and commendation“he always appreciated praise for his work”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with congratulations
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of congratulations.
Questions about saying congratulations
How do you pronounce congratulations?
Say kun-grach-uh-LAY-shunz. The American pronunciation is /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/. In British English it is /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in congratulations?
Congratulations has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (LAY). Broken into parts: kun · grach · uh · LAY · shunz.
Do Americans and Brits say congratulations the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/ and the British form is /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.