How to pronounce Paris
Say it like PER-is. Paris has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Paris. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PER
- is
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paris pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- isKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of Paris
American and British speakers say Paris in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛrɪs/ in the US and /ˈpærɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: PAR-is.
Other ways to say Paris
Paris also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- PAR-is /ˈpærɪs/
What does Paris mean?
- The capital and largest city of France.
- plural of pari.
Where does Paris come from?
From Middle English Parys, Paris, from Old French Paris, from the Late Latin name of an earlier settlement, Lutetia Parisiorum (“Lutetia of the Parisii”), from Latin Parīsiī, a Gaulish tribe, from Transalpine Gaulish *parios (“cauldron”), f
Questions about saying Paris
How do you pronounce Paris?
Say PER-is. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛrɪs/. In British English it is /ˈpærɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Paris?
Paris has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PER). Broken into parts: PER · is.
Do Americans and Brits say Paris the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛrɪs/ and the British form is /ˈpærɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.