How to Pronounce “hotel”
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▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- British (UK)
- /həʊˈtɛl/
What “hotel” means
noun — A large town house or mansion; a grand private residence, especially in France.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “hotel” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /həʊˈtɛl/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /həʊˈtɛl/ 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "hotel" mean?
hotel (noun): A large town house or mansion; a grand private residence, especially in France.
Which syllable is stressed in "hotel"?
“hotel” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /həʊˈtɛl/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
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