How to Pronounce “chiaroscuro”

American (US)

/ˌkjɑɹəˈsk(j)ʊɹoʊ/

British (UK)

/kɪˌɑːɹəˈskʊəɹəʊ/

noun — An artistic technique developed during the Renaissance, referring to the use of strong contrasts between light and dark in order to create the illusion of volume.

Where the stress falls. “chiaroscuro” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkjɑɹəˈsk(j)ʊɹoʊ/ 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. /ˌkjɑɹəˈsk(j)ʊɹoʊ/ 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 "chiaroscuro" mean?

chiaroscuro (noun): An artistic technique developed during the Renaissance, referring to the use of strong contrasts between light and dark in order to create the illusion of volume.

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

American English: /ˌkjɑɹəˈsk(j)ʊɹoʊ/. British English: /kɪˌɑːɹəˈskʊəɹəʊ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "chiaroscuro"?

/ˌkjɑɹəˈsk(j)ʊɹoʊ/ in American English, /kɪˌɑːɹəˈskʊəɹəʊ/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "chiaroscuro"?

“chiaroscuro” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkjɑɹəˈsk(j)ʊɹoʊ/ 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.