How to pronounce opera
Say it like AH-pruh. Opera has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce opera. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈɑprə/AH-pruh
UK British/ˈɒprə/OP-ruh
- AH
- pruh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Opera pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- pruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of opera
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: OP-ruh.
What does opera mean?
noun
- a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
- a commercial browser
- a building where musical dramas are performed
Where does opera come from?
Borrowed from Italian opera.
Questions about saying opera
How do you pronounce opera?
Say AH-pruh. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑprə/. In British English it is /ˈɒprə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in opera?
Opera has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH). Broken into parts: AH · pruh.
Is opera pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈɒprə/ (OP-ruh).