A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Is Barcelona In Spain
Pronounce Barcelona with confidence: a guide for English speakers to this vibrant Spanish city.
is barcelona in spain
bar-suh-LOH-nuh
/bɑɹ.səˈloʊ.nə/ · bar · suh · lo · nuh
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also common in news reports about Spain, sports (especially soccer/football), and cultural events originating from the city.
Where the word comes from
The name 'Barcelona' likely derives from the Iberian word 'Barkeno', possibly named after the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca, Hannibal's father. It was later Latinized to 'Barcino' during the Roman era.
Common ways people get it wrong
- bar-see-LOH-nah Americans sometimes substitute an 's' sound for the 'r' and add an 'ah' at the end, but the 'r' is distinct and the final vowel is unstressed 'uh'.
- bar-suh-LOAN-uh Avoid pronouncing the 'o' as in 'loan'; it's a shorter, more open 'oh' sound like in 'go'.
Frequently asked
How do you say Barcelona in Spanish?
In Spanish, it's pronounced roughly 'bar-the-LOH-nah', with a 'th' sound for the 'c' and a clearer 'o' sound. However, for English speakers, the 'bar-suh-LOH-nuh' pronunciation is widely understood.
Is the stress on 'Bar' or 'lo' in Barcelona?
The main stress in Barcelona falls on the third syllable, 'lo'. So, it's bar-suh-LOH-nuh, with a slight secondary stress on the first syllable, 'bar'.
What's the easiest way to remember the pronunciation?
Think of it as 'bar' (like the drinking place), 'suh' (a quick, unstressed sound), 'LOH' (like 'low'), and 'nuh' (like the end of 'banana').
