How to pronounce merlion
Say it like MER-ly-un. Merlion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce merlion. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MER
- ly
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Merlion pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- lyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of merlion
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: MUR-ly-un.
What does merlion mean?
- Often Merlion: a symbolic creature having the head of a lion and the body of a fish, which is a national symbol of Singapore; an image, statue, or other depiction of this creature.
- A fictional creature of similar make-up.
- A depiction of a bird similar to a house martin or swallow with stylized feet; a martlet.
- Alternative form of merlin (“a small falcon, Falco columbarius”).
Where does merlion come from?
From mer- + lion; sense 1 promoted by the Singapore Tourism Board as the name of a statue installed at the mouth of the Singapore River on 15 September 1972.
Questions about saying merlion
How do you pronounce merlion?
Say MER-ly-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɚˌlaɪən/. In British English it is /ˈmɜːˌlaɪən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in merlion?
Merlion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MER). Broken into parts: MER · ly · un.
Is merlion 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 /ˈmɜːˌlaɪən/ (MUR-ly-un).