How to pronounce marae
Say it like muh-RY. Marae has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce marae. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- muh
- RY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Marae pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of marae
American and British speakers say marae in essentially the same way: /məˈraɪ/ in the US and /məˈraɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: muh-RY.
What does marae mean?
- The courtyard of a Maori wharenui or meeting-house, seen as a cultural and spiritual focal point.
- The buildings and people around it; a spiritual or cultural center.
- A Polynesian sacred altar or enclosure.
Where does marae come from?
Borrowed from Māori marae and Tahitian marae, from Proto-Oceanic *malaqe.
Words that rhyme with marae
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of marae.
Questions about saying marae
How do you pronounce marae?
Say muh-RY. The American pronunciation is /məˈraɪ/. In British English it is /məˈraɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in marae?
Marae has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RY). Broken into parts: muh · RY.
Do Americans and Brits say marae the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /məˈraɪ/ and the British form is /məˈraɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.