How to pronounce semla
Say it like SEM-luh. Semla has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce semla. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEM
- luh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Semla pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of semla
American and British speakers say semla in essentially the same way: /ˈsɛmlə/ in the US and /ˈsɛmlə/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEM-luh.
What does semla mean?
- A pastry with a cream and almond paste filling, traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday in Sweden, Finland and Estonia.
Where does semla come from?
From Swedish semla, ultimately from Latin simila (“finest quality wheat flour”), through Old Swedish.
Questions about saying semla
How do you pronounce semla?
Say SEM-luh. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛmlə/. In British English it is /ˈsɛmlə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in semla?
Semla has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEM). Broken into parts: SEM · luh.
Do Americans and Brits say semla the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɛmlə/ and the British form is /ˈsɛmlə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.