How to pronounce hallelujah
Say it like hal-uh-LOO-yuh. Hallelujah has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hallelujah. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- hal
- uh
- LOO
- yuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hallelujah pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- halGive 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.
- LOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hallelujah
American and British speakers say hallelujah in essentially the same way: /ˌhæləˈlujə/ in the US and /ˌhæləˈluːjə/ in the UK.
British respelling: hal-uh-LOO-yuh.
What does hallelujah mean?
- An exclamation used in songs of praise or thanksgiving to God.
- A general expression of gratitude or adoration.“Hallelujah! It’s finally the weekend!”
- A shout of “Hallelujah”.
- A song of praise to God; a musical composition based on the word "Hallelujah".
- General praise.
- To cry "hallelujah" in praise.
Questions about saying hallelujah
How do you pronounce hallelujah?
Say hal-uh-LOO-yuh. The American pronunciation is /ˌhæləˈlujə/. In British English it is /ˌhæləˈluːjə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hallelujah?
Hallelujah has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LOO). Broken into parts: hal · uh · LOO · yuh.
Do Americans and Brits say hallelujah the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌhæləˈlujə/ and the British form is /ˌhæləˈluːjə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.