How to Pronounce “Caravaggio”

American (US)

/ˌkæɹəˈvɑd͡ʒ(i)oʊ/

British (UK)

/ˌkæɹəˈvædʒiəʊ/

proper noun — Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610), an Italian painter known for the dramatism of his style and subjects.

Where the stress falls. “Caravaggio” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkæɹəˈvɑd͡ʒ(i)oʊ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌkæɹəˈvɑd͡ʒ(i)oʊ/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "Caravaggio" mean?

Caravaggio (proper noun): Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610), an Italian painter known for the dramatism of his style and subjects.

How do you pronounce "Caravaggio" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˌkæɹəˈvɑd͡ʒ(i)oʊ/. British English: /ˌkæɹəˈvædʒiəʊ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "Caravaggio"?

/ˌkæɹəˈvɑd͡ʒ(i)oʊ/ in American English, /ˌkæɹəˈvædʒiəʊ/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "Caravaggio"?

“Caravaggio” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkæɹəˈvɑd͡ʒ(i)oʊ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.