How to pronounce narration
Say it like neh-RAY-shun. Narration has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce narration. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- neh
- RAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Narration pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- nehKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- RAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of narration
American and British speakers say narration in essentially the same way: /nɛˈreɪʃən/ in the US and /nəˈreɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: nuh-RAY-shun.
What does narration mean?
- The act of recounting or relating in order the particulars of some action, occurrence, or affair; a narrating.“The film used voice-over narration to explain the story.”
- That which is narrated or recounted; an orderly recital of the details and particulars of some transaction or event, or of a series of transactions or events; a story or narrative.
- That part of an oration in which the speaker makes his or her statement of facts.
Where does narration come from?
From Middle French narration, from Old French narracion, from Latin narrātiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with narration
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of narration.
Questions about saying narration
How do you pronounce narration?
Say neh-RAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /nɛˈreɪʃən/. In British English it is /nəˈreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in narration?
Narration has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAY). Broken into parts: neh · RAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say narration the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /nɛˈreɪʃən/ and the British form is /nəˈreɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.