How to pronounce gamelan
Say it like GAM-uh-lan. Gamelan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GAM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gamelan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GAM
- uh
- lan
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gamelan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GAMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lanGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of gamelan
American and British speakers say gamelan in essentially the same way: /ˈɡæməˌlæn/ in the US and /ˈɡæməˌlæn/ in the UK.
British respelling: GAM-uh-lan.
What does gamelan mean?
- A genre of music of Indonesian origin typically featuring metallophones, xylophones, drums, gongs and a bamboo flute (called a suling).
- An ensemble performing this style of music.
Where does gamelan come from?
Borrowed from Javanese gamelan, from Old Javanese gamĕlan.
Questions about saying gamelan
How do you pronounce gamelan?
Say GAM-uh-lan. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡæməˌlæn/. In British English it is /ˈɡæməˌlæn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gamelan?
Gamelan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GAM). Broken into parts: GAM · uh · lan.
Do Americans and Brits say gamelan the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɡæməˌlæn/ and the British form is /ˈɡæməˌlæn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.