How to pronounce national
Say it like NASH-uh-nul. National has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NASH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce national. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NASH
- uh
- nul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
National pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NASHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of national
American and British speakers say national in essentially the same way: /ˈnæʃənəl/ in the US and /ˈnæʃənəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: NASH-uh-nul.
What does national mean?
- of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country“national hero”“national anthem”
- limited to or in the interests of a particular nation“national interests”“isolationism is a strictly national policy”
- concerned with or applicable to or belonging to an entire nation or country“the national government”“national elections”
- a person who owes allegiance to that nation“a monarch has a duty to his subjects”
Where does national come from?
From Middle French national, corresponding to nation + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with national
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of national.
Questions about saying national
How do you pronounce national?
Say NASH-uh-nul. The American pronunciation is /ˈnæʃənəl/. In British English it is /ˈnæʃənəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in national?
National has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NASH). Broken into parts: NASH · uh · nul.
Do Americans and Brits say national the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈnæʃənəl/ and the British form is /ˈnæʃənəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.