How to pronounce nocturne
Say it like NOK-turn. Nocturne has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NOK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nocturne. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NOK
- turn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nocturne pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NOKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- turnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of nocturne
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: NOK-turn.
What does nocturne mean?
- A work in a genre of piano music of moderate tempo with a highly-decorated, improvisatory melody.
- A work of art relating or dedicated to the night.
Where does nocturne come from?
Borrowed from French nocturne (literally “nocturnal”), from Latin nocturnus.
Questions about saying nocturne
How do you pronounce nocturne?
Say NOK-turn. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɑkˌtɝn/. In British English it is /ˈnɒktɜːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nocturne?
Nocturne has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NOK). Broken into parts: NOK · turn.
Is nocturne 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 /ˈnɒktɜːn/ (NOK-turn).