How to pronounce relation
Say it like ree-LAY-shun. Relation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce relation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- LAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Relation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of relation
American and British speakers say relation in essentially the same way: /riˈleɪʃən/ in the US and /rɪˈleɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-LAY-shun.
What does relation mean?
- an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
- a person related by blood or marriage“police are searching for relatives of the deceased”“he has distant relations back in New Jersey”
- an act of narration“he was the hero according to his own relation”“his endless recounting of the incident eventually became unbearable”
Where does relation come from?
From Middle English relacion, relacioun, from Anglo-Norman relacioun and Old French relacion (whence French relation), from Latin relātiō, noun of process form from perfect passive participle relātus (“related”), from verb referō (“to refer
Words that rhyme with relation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of relation.
Questions about saying relation
How do you pronounce relation?
Say ree-LAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /riˈleɪʃən/. In British English it is /rɪˈleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in relation?
Relation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAY). Broken into parts: ree · LAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say relation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /riˈleɪʃən/ and the British form is /rɪˈleɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.