2 syllables: cla, ra. Stress on cla.
KLAR-uh
/ˈklæɹə/
clara is pronounced KLAR-uh (/ˈklæɹə/). It has two syllables (cla-ra), with the stress on "cla". Clara is a female given name of Latin origin meaning “bright” or “clear.” In common usage it denotes a person’s name rather than a common noun, and it can carry varying cultural associations depending on context. The pronunciation tends to be straightforward in many languages, but English speakers may notice subtle vowel and syllable-length differences across accents.
Clara is a female given name of Latin origin meaning “bright” or “clear.” In common usage it denotes a person’s name rather than a common noun, and it can carry varying cultural associations depending on context. The pronunciation tends to be straightforward in many languages, but English speakers may notice subtle vowel and syllable-length differences across accents.
- You may lengthen or diphthize the second syllable accidentally; keep /ə/ rather than a full vowel in the final syllable. - Don’t rush the name: keep primary stress on the first syllable and deliver a light, quick ending. - Watch for an overemphasized /r/; let the /r/ occur but not dominate the second syllable. - In fast speech, you might reduce /ɑː/ to /ɒ/ or /ɑ/; keep it long for clarity. - Practice with minimal pairs to keep the contrast steady: clara vs cla-ra vs clara (as in Spanish).
"Clara introduced herself at the conference with a confident, steady voice."
"We listened to Clara’s recording to practice the name’s pronunciation."
"The, Clara asked a thoughtful question during the panel discussion."
The standard English pronunciation is /ˈklɑː.rə/. Start with a strong 'kl' blend, then an open back vowel /ɑː/ as in 'car,' followed by a light, schwa-like /ə/ in the final syllable. The primary stress is on the first syllable. If you’re reading it as a Spanish-influenced name, the vowels may be crisper, closer to /ˈklaɾa/ with a tapped /ɾ/. For general English contexts, use /ˈklɑː.rə/ with the first vowel long. Practice by saying 'KLAA-ruh' with emphasis on KLAA.
Common mistakes include misplacing stress (saying 'clá-ra' with a strong second syllable) and shortening the first vowel to /æ/ as in 'cat.' Another error is pronouncing the /r/ as a voiced American /ɹ/ with an overemphasized alveolar tap in careful speech; keep the /r/ clean and soft as in standard American English. Correct by maintaining primary stress on the first syllable and ensuring the /ɑː/ remains long, followed by a neutral /ə/ in the final syllable.
In US/UK/AU English, the first syllable tends to be stressed with a long /ɑː/ vowel: /ˈklɑː.rə/. The rhoticity in US English means the /r/ is more pronounced before a vowel, but in Clara it’s typically not affected by following vowels. In non-rhotic accents, final /r/ may be weaker or non-pronounced in certain dialects, but since Clara ends in /rə/ the Schwa-like ending remains audible. Australian English usually preserves /ˈklɑːrə/ with a more centralized final vowel; slight vowels may vary, but the first syllable retains its length.
For some speakers, the tricky part is achieving the long /ɑː/ in the first syllable without turning it into /æ/ and maintaining a light, unstressed final /rə/. The sequence /kl/ is common, but the /r/ in 'Clara' can pull tongue toward the alveolar ridge, and the second syllable’s schwa must be reduced without sounding like a separate vowel. The challenge is balancing a clear, stressed first syllable with a soft, quick ending—especially in fast speech.
Clara consistently has two open vowels around a light /r/: the stressed /ɑː/ and the ensuing unstressed /ə/. The name’s two-syllable rhythm with a sonority drop from the first vowel to the schwa makes it feel musical yet compact. Emphasize the contrast between the bright first syllable and the softer, shorter final vowel, and avoid a rolled or heavily pronounced /r/ that would disrupt the natural English flow.
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Clara originates from the Latin name Clara, feminine form of clarus meaning 'bright, clear, famous.' The name appears in late Latin and early Christian contexts, where it signified brightness and fame. In medieval Europe, Clara gained popularity through saints and religious figures, notably Saint Clare of Assisi (Sancta Clara), whose name Latinized as Clara or Clare. Its spread into Romance languages preserved the clear, light quality, often rendered as Clárea in some dialects. In English-speaking regions, the name became common from the 16th century onward, reinforced by literary and religious works. The name’s meaning—“bright” or “clear”—shapes its connotations of clarity, purity, and distinction, contributing to its continued use across cultures. While primarily a personal name today, Clara’s phonetic silhouette—two open vowels separated by a light /r/—has made it a favorable choice due to its musical, easy articulation. First known uses in Latin texts date back to the late classical period, with later adoption into Romance languages in the medieval era, and eventual dispersion into English usage through saints’ names and literary figures.
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Help others use "clara" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "clara" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "clara" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "clara"
-rra sounds
-ara sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
