How to pronounce seraglio
Say it like suh-RAL-yoh. Seraglio has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce seraglio. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- RAL
- yoh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Seraglio pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- yohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of seraglio
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: suh-RAL-yoh.
What does seraglio mean?
- A palace of a sultan.
- The palace of the Grand Seignior in Constantinople.
- A profligate or decadent residence of a rich person.
Where does seraglio come from?
From Italian serraglio, from Vulgar Latin *serrāculum, from a late form of Latin serāre (“lock up, close”), from sera (“lock, bolt”).
Questions about saying seraglio
How do you pronounce seraglio?
Say suh-RAL-yoh. The American pronunciation is /səˈræljoʊ/. In British English it is /səˈræljəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in seraglio?
Seraglio has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAL). Broken into parts: suh · RAL · yoh.
Is seraglio pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /səˈræljəʊ/ (suh-RAL-yoh).