4 syllables: ca, na, di, an. Stress on na.
kuh-NAY-dee-uhn
/kəˈneɪdiən/
canadian is pronounced kuh-NAY-dee-uhn (/kəˈneɪdiən/). It has four syllables (ca-na-di-an), with the stress on "na". Canadian is a demonym and adjective relating to Canada, its people, culture, or language. In everyday use, it often describes national identity or origin, as in Canadian English or Canadian cuisine. The term is neutral in register and common in both formal and informal contexts. Pronunciation focuses on accurate stress and vowel quality, especially the first syllable and the ending -ian sounds.
Canadian is a demonym and adjective relating to Canada, its people, culture, or language. In everyday use, it often describes national identity or origin, as in Canadian English or Canadian cuisine. The term is neutral in register and common in both formal and informal contexts. Pronunciation focuses on accurate stress and vowel quality, especially the first syllable and the ending -ian sounds.
"She collected Canadian stamps during her trip across the country."
"Canadian English features notable vowel shifts that differ from American norms."
"The journalist reported on Canadian policies with careful, balanced language."
Pronounce it as /ˌkænɪˈdiːən/ in American English, with primary stress on the second syllable: can-i-DI-an. In UK English you’ll often hear /ˌkæ.nɪˈdɪən/ with a shorter final vowel. For Australian speakers, /ˌkæn.ɪˈdi.ən/ is common. Key tips: start with a clear /æ/ in CAN-, move to a crisp /ɪ/ in -ni-, then an unstressed /ən/ or /iən/ ending. Try saying CAN-uh-DEE-uhn to reflect the typical multi-syllabic pronunciation and keep the final syllable light.
Common errors include reducing the second syllable too much, producing /ˈkæ.nɪ.di.ən/ with overly strong -di- or misplacing the primary stress on the first syllable. Another pitfall is pronouncing the ending as /ən/ with a hard consonant instead of the light /ən/ or /iən/. To correct: emphasize the second syllable while keeping the final /ən/ soft and elided, and ensure the /di/ isn’t aspirated as a separate stressed unit. Practice with minimal pairs to feel the rhythm: CAN-uh-DEE-ən.
In US English, the primary stress tends to land on the second syllable, with a clear /di/ and a light final /ən/. In UK English, you may hear /ˌkæ.nɪˈdɪən/ with a sharper vowel in the second syllable and more rounded lips. In Australian English, /ˌkæn.ɪˈdiən/ often shows a more centralized vowel in the first syllable and a slightly tense second syllable with a lighter final /ən/. Across all, the ending remains non-rhotic for many speakers, and the /r/ is not pronounced. IPA references support subtle vowel shifts by region.
The difficulty lies in coordinating the sequence CAN- (æ) → i (ɪ) → -an (ən or iən) with appropriate stress. The second syllable is loud but not dominant, and the final unstressed syllable blends quickly. Native patterns include vowel reduction and subtle vowel length differences. For non-native speakers, getting the right contrast between /ɪ/ and /iː/ and maintaining a light, non-syllabic final /ən/ can be challenging. Focus on accurate placement of primary stress and smooth transitions between syllables.
The word has a predictable triplet stress pattern CAN-i-di-an in many analyses, with the secondary stress often on the second syllable in fast speech. The ending -an often merges into a light schwa. A unique feature is the way the second syllable carries a stable /ɪ/ or /i/ quality depending on speaker; the contrast between /æ/ and /ɪ/ in the first two syllables is a frequent source of mispronunciation for non-native speakers.
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Canadian derives from Canada, the name of the country. Canada itself comes from the Saint-Lawrence Iroquoian word kanata, meaning village or settlement, used by early explorers to refer to a wide area around Hochelaga. French explorers adopted the term and used Canada to denote the land for the ruler, and English speakers borrowed it, especially from 16th–18th centuries onward. The suffix -an forms adjectives and demonyms (e.g., Canadian, Canadian-born) and is used broadly in English to indicate origin or relation. The word’s first known uses appear in early colonial texts and maps where Canada was becoming a defined political and geographic entity; by the 18th century, “Canadian” had established its demonymic sense, referring to people or things associated with Canada. Over time, the pronunciation consolidated into /ˈkænɪdiən/ in North American English, with slight vowel shifts in UK and Australian varieties due to accent differences. The evolution reflects both linguistic borrowing from French and broader English demonym formation conventions. The word’s sense has since expanded to refer to nationality, regional identity within Canada, and cultural descriptors in literature and media.
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Words that rhyme with "canadian"
-ian sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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