English pronunciation · Words Starting with C
California Pronunciation
California is pronounced ka-luh-FAWR-nyuh, IPA /ˌkæləˈfɔrnjə/.
ka-luh-FAWR-nyuh
US /ˌkæləˈfɔrnjə/
Syllables: ka · luh · FAWR · nyuh (4 syllables, stress on syllable 3)
noun (proper noun): The most populous state of the United States, on the Pacific coast.
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California in a Sentence
- They drove the length of California in four days.
- California grows most of the almonds sold in the world.
- Her family moved to California in the 1970s.
Common Mispronunciations of California
Not ka-li-FOR-ni-a
The last four letters are a single nyuh, said as one quick beat. Splitting them into ni and a adds a syllable no American uses.
Not KA-luh-fawr-nyuh
The punch waits for FAWR, two beats in. Everything before it is light.
Tip: Californian keeps four beats too but shifts nothing, and the shortened Cali drops straight to two.
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