How to pronounce relationship
Say it like ree-LAY-shun-ship. Relationship has four 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 relationship. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- LAY
- shun
- ship
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Relationship 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.
- shipGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of relationship
American and British speakers say relationship in essentially the same way: /riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/ in the US and /rɪˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-LAY-shun-ship.
What does relationship mean?
- a relation between people; (relationship is often used where relation would serve, as in the relationship between inflation and unemployment, but the preferred usage of relationship is for human relations or states of relatedness)“the relationship between mothers and their children”
- a state of connectedness between people (especially an emotional connection)“he didn't want his wife to know of the relationship”
- a state involving mutual dealings between people or parties or countries
Where does relationship come from?
From relation + -ship.
Questions about saying relationship
How do you pronounce relationship?
Say ree-LAY-shun-ship. The American pronunciation is /riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/. In British English it is /rɪˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in relationship?
Relationship has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAY). Broken into parts: ree · LAY · shun · ship.
Do Americans and Brits say relationship the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/ and the British form is /rɪˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.