How to pronounce harlequin
Say it like HAR-lih-kwin. Harlequin has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce harlequin. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAR
- lih
- kwin
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Harlequin pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- lihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kwinKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of harlequin
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAH-lih-kwin.
What does harlequin mean?
- A pantomime fool, typically dressed in colorful checkered clothes, used as a stock character in commedia dell'arte and other genres.
- A greenish-chartreuse color.
- A harlequin duck.
- To remove or conjure away, as if by a harlequin's trick.
- To make sport by playing ludicrous tricks.
- Brightly colored, especially in a pattern like that of a harlequin clown's clothes.
- Of a greenish-chartreuse color.
Where does harlequin come from?
From earlier Harlicken, from Middle French Harlequin (in Italian Arlecchino, the name of a popular servant character in commedia dell'arte plays), from Old French Harlequin, Halequin, Herlequin, Hellequin, Hierlekin, Hellekin (a demon, male
Questions about saying harlequin
How do you pronounce harlequin?
Say HAR-lih-kwin. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑrlɪkwɪn/. In British English it is /ˈhɑːlɪkwɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in harlequin?
Harlequin has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAR). Broken into parts: HAR · lih · kwin.
Is harlequin pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈhɑːlɪkwɪn/ (HAH-lih-kwin).