How to pronounce paella
Say it like py-AY-yuh. Paella has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AY).
- py
- AY
- yuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: The ll sounds like y: 'pie-AY-yuh'.
Paella pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pyKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of paella
American and British speakers say paella in essentially the same way: /paɪˈeɪjə/ in the US and /paɪˈɛlə/ in the UK.
British respelling: py-EL-uh.
What does paella mean?
- A savory Valencian dish made of rice, cooked in a frying pan with vegetables and meat or shellfish.
Where does paella come from?
Borrowed from Catalan paella (“pot; pan”), from Old French paelle, from Latin patella (“plate, small pan”).
Words that rhyme with paella
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of paella.
Questions about saying paella
How do you pronounce paella?
Say py-AY-yuh. The American pronunciation is /paɪˈeɪjə/. In British English it is /paɪˈɛlə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paella?
Paella has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AY). Broken into parts: py · AY · yuh.
Do Americans and Brits say paella the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /paɪˈeɪjə/ and the British form is /paɪˈɛlə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.