A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Wroclaw
Pronounce Wroclaw like 'VROHTS-wahf' to sound when discussing this Polish city.
wroclaw
VROHTS-wahf
/ˈvrɔts.wɑf/ · VROHTS · wahf
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also relevant in news reports concerning Polish politics or culture.
Where the word comes from
The name 'Wrocław' comes from the personal name 'Wrocisław', meaning 'joyful fame' or 'glorious fame'. It's a common Slavic naming pattern.
Common ways people get it wrong
- ROW-claw English speakers often try to force familiar sounds, but the 'W' is pronounced like a 'V' and the 'c' is like a 'ts'.
- WROH-ts-law The 'w' at the beginning is a 'v' sound, and the 'aw' sound at the end is closer to 'ah'.
Frequently asked
Is Wroclaw pronounced with a V sound?
Yes, the 'W' in Wrocław is pronounced like a 'V' in English. This is common in Slavic languages.
How do I say the end of Wroclaw?
The ending sounds like 'wahf'. The 'c' is a 'ts' sound, and the 'ł' is a 'w' sound, creating a 'ts-wahf' ending.
What is the stress in Wroclaw?
The stress falls on the first syllable, making it 'VROHTS-wahf'. This helps give the word its distinct rhythm.
