3 syllables: Ci, lan, tro. Stress on lan.
sil-AN-troh
/sɪˈlænˌtɹoʊ/
Cilantro is pronounced sil-AN-troh (/sɪˈlænˌtɹoʊ/). It has three syllables (Ci-lan-tro), with the stress on "lan". Cilantro is a noun referring to the fresh leaves of the coriander plant, used as an herb in cooking. In American English, the term commonly denotes the leaves, while in some places the herb is called coriander; the seeds are likewise sold separately. The word also appears in culinary contexts to describe dishes that feature this herb. The pronunciation can vary between dialects and is often a topic of debate in food circles.
nounCilantro is a noun referring to the fresh leaves of the coriander plant, used as an herb in cooking. In American English, the term commonly denotes the leaves, while in some places the herb is called coriander; the seeds are likewise sold separately. The word also appears in culinary contexts to describe dishes that feature this herb. The pronunciation can vary between dialects and is often a topic of debate in food circles.
How to Pronounce Cilantro
"I sprinkled chopped cilantro on the tacos for a bright, citrusy finish."
"Cilantro is one of the key herbs in salsa verde and guacamole."
"Some recipes recommend avoiding cilantro for those who perceive a soapy taste."
US/UK/AU pronunciation centers on two syllables: si-LAN-tro. In IPA: US / sɪˈlæn.troʊ /, UK / sɪˈlæn.trəʊ /, AU / sɪˈlæn.trəʊ /. The stress typically falls on the second syllable (LAN), with a clear 'L' after the first vowel. Mouth position: start with a relaxed, slightly open front vowel, then a light, crisp 'l' and a short 'an' vowel, finish with a rhotic or non-rhotic ending depending on accent. You can listen to native pronunciation in Pronounce or Forvo to capture subtle differences.
Two common errors: pronouncing it as si-LAN-troh with British 'tro' instead of 'troh' in US, and misplacing the stress as si-LAN-tro or si-lan-TRO. Correction: keep the primary stress on LAN, ensure the final -tro is pronounced as a light, unstressed ending like -troʊ in US, and avoid an extra syllable at the end. Practice with minimal pairs like cilantro vs. coriander to reinforce the two-syllable rhythm.
In US English, cilantro is typically /sɪˈlænˌtroʊ/ with a rhotic ending and a strong second syllable. In many UK pronunciations, you may hear /sɪˈlæn.trəʊ/ with a non-rhotic ending and a longer final vowel. Australian speech tends toward /sɪˈlæn.tɹoʊ/ with a rolled or tapped 'r' influenced by General Australian; the final vowel tends to be a pure /oʊ/ or /əʊ/. Differences mainly affect rhotics, final vowel quality, and syllable linking.
The difficulty often comes from the consonant cluster -lan- and the final -tro. Non-native speakers may mispronounce as si-LEL-truh or misplace stress on the first syllable. The key challenges: accurate 'l' placement after a short 'i' vowel, the 'an' as an open front vowel, and a protracted final 'tro' sound that should not be reduced to a schwa. Focus on two-stress rule and practice with IPA cues to stabilize articulation across dialects.
Cilantro’s name has two strong syllables with a mid-vowel first, followed by a clear 'lan' onset and a terminal 'tro' that often triggers vowel reduction in casual speech. Its Spanish origin influences its stress pattern in some speakers who may place less emphasis on the second syllable. The word’s phonology balances a light consonant cluster and a long 'o' or 'əʊ' ending depending on dialect, making it a good test word for teaching cross-dialect patterns.
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US: rhotic, final /oʊ/; UK: non-rhotic with /əʊ/ ending; AU: similar to US but with Australian vowel purity and a light alveolar approximant in the final cluster. Vowel quality: /ɪ/ in first vowel; /æ/ or /æŋ/ in second; final /troʊ/ or /trəʊ/ depending on dialect. Consonants: clear /l/ after /ɪ/; avoid blending /læn/ into /lən/ in some dialects. IPA references: US /sɪˈlæn.troʊ/, UK /sɪˈlæn.trəʊ/, AU /sɪˈlæn.tɹoʊ/ or /sɪˈlæn.trəʊ/.
Cilantro derives from the Spanish word cilantro, which itself comes from Latin coriandrum, borrowed from Greek koruándron (κορινδάνδρον). The genus Coriandrum has ancient roots in the Mediterranean region, with earliest references in Hellenistic and Roman culinary texts. The term cilantro began to be used in English to distinguish the leaves of the plant, while coriander referred to the seeds; this dual usage reflects the plant’s culinary versatility across cultures. Over time, cilantro gained a distinct identity in modern kitchens, particularly in North American, Mexican, and Asian cuisines, where the fresh herb is valued for its bright, citrus-like aroma. The word’s popularity rose in the 19th and 20th centuries as global cuisine influenced home cooks and chefs, cementing cilantro as a staple herb in many recipes and grocery aisles.
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Words that rhyme with "Cilantro"
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