How to pronounce polonaise
Say it like pol-uh-NAYZ. Polonaise has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAYZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce polonaise. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pol
- uh
- NAYZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Polonaise pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- polGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAYZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of polonaise
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: pol-uh-NAYZ.
What does polonaise mean?
- A stately Polish dance in triple time and moderate tempo.
- Music for this dance.
- A woman's dress having a tight bodice and a skirt divided to show a colored underskirt.
- To dance the polonaise.
Where does polonaise come from?
Borrowed from French polonaise (“Polish”).
Words that rhyme with polonaise
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of polonaise.
Questions about saying polonaise
How do you pronounce polonaise?
Say pol-uh-NAYZ. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɑləˈneɪz/. In British English it is /ˌpɒləˈneɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in polonaise?
Polonaise has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAYZ). Broken into parts: pol · uh · NAYZ.
Is polonaise 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 /ˌpɒləˈneɪz/ (pol-uh-NAYZ).