A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Bratislava
How to pronounce Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, with the correct stress and vowel sounds.
bratislava
brah-TISS-lah-vuh
/brɑːˈtɪslɑːvə/ · bra · tis · la · va
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's the primary political and economic hub of the country.
Where the word comes from
The name is believed to derive from the personal name 'Bratislav' or 'Vratislav', possibly meaning 'great glory' or 'brother's glory'. It was first mentioned in historical records in the 11th century.
Common ways people get it wrong
- BRAT-iss-lah-vuh Americans often stress the first syllable of foreign words. The stress in Bratislava falls on the second syllable, 'TISS'.
- buh-RAT-iss-lah-vuh The first syllable is a clear 'ah' sound, not a reduced 'uh' sound. Think of 'bra' like in 'bravo'.
Frequently asked
Is Bratislava hard to pronounce?
It can be tricky for English speakers due to the stress placement and vowel sounds. Focusing on the second syllable ('TISS') and the clear 'ah' sound in the first syllable helps a lot.
What's the capital of Slovakia?
The capital of Slovakia is Bratislava. It's located on the Danube River, bordering Austria and Hungary.
How do you say Bratislava in Slovak?
In Slovak, it's pronounced very similarly to the English guide: 'Brah-TIS-lah-vah'. The IPA is roughly [ˈbracislaʋa].
