3 syllables: Ne, pal, ese. Stress on ese.
nep-uh-LEEZ
/ˌnɛpəˈliz/
Nepalese is pronounced nep-uh-LEEZ (/ˌnɛpəˈliz/). It has three syllables (Ne-pal-ese), with the stress on "ese". Nepalese (adj.) relating to Nepal, its people, language, or culture. Used to describe things associated with Nepal or its inhabitants, such as Nepalese cuisine or Nepalese customs. The term can also denote people of Nepal collectively. In context, it contrasts with Nepalese (noun) when referring to a person from Nepal, though usage varies by style guide.
adjectiveNepalese (adj.) relating to Nepal, its people, language, or culture. Used to describe things associated with Nepal or its inhabitants, such as Nepalese cuisine or Nepalese customs. The term can also denote people of Nepal collectively. In context, it contrasts with Nepalese (noun) when referring to a person from Nepal, though usage varies by style guide.
How to Pronounce Nepalese
"The Nepalese flag features a unique emblem and two triangles."
"Nepalese cuisine includes momo dumplings and dal bhat."
"A Nepalese festival was celebrated with songs and dances."
Pronounce as /nə ˈpɑː.liːz/ in US; /nɪˈpɒl.iːz/ in UK; /nɪˈpæl.if/ is less common. The primary stress is on the second syllable: ne-PA-lese. Start with a schwa followed by a clear /p/ and a long /a/ or /ɒ/ depending on accent, then /liːz/ with a long E. Audio references: you can check native speaker pronunciations on Forvo or YouGlish, and Pronounce as a comprehensive resource.
Common errors include stressing the first syllable or misplacing stress on the third syllable. People often pronounce it as /nɪˈpælɪz/ (short i in the second syllable) or blend to /nəˈpæliːz/ with a short final /z/ instead of /z/. Corrective tips: keep primary stress on the second syllable, use a long E in the final -ese, and ensure the /l/ is clear before the /iːz/.
US tends to have /nəˈpɑː.liːz/ with a rhotacized or reduced first vowel; UK favors /nɪˈpɒ.liːz/ with a shorter first vowel and a crisp /l/. Australian often aligns with US or UK but with more centralized vowel qualities: /nəˈpæl.iz/ depending on speaker. Key differences: vowel quality in the first syllable, rhoticity (US more rhotic in some speakers), and vowel length in the final -ese. Reference IPA: US /nəˈpɑː.liːz/, UK /nɪˈpɒ.liːz/, AU similar to US/UK with regional variation.
Two main challenges: the second syllable stress and the final -ese forming /liːz/ rather than a quick /lez/. The presence of a long /iː/ before a voiced /z/ can be tricky; also the initial unstressed schwa + consonant cluster requires precision to avoid sounding like 'Neh-pah-lize' or 'Nep-a-lease'.
A distinctive feature is the shift of the second syllable from a short vowel to a longer /ɑː/ or /ɒ/ depending on accent, followed by a clear /liːz/. The contrast between /nəˈpɑː.liːz/ (US) and /nɪˈpɒ.liːz/ (UK) highlights vowel quality and stress placement that differentiates it from similar demonyms.
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Nepalese derives from the country name Nepal, with the suffix -ese forming an ethnocultural or demonymic adjective. The root Nepal traces to ancient Sanskrit and Pali terms referring to the highlands and mountaineering regions; through Middle English, the form Nepalese emerged to denote either people or things associated with Nepal. Historically, English usage distinguished Nepalese as an adjective and as a demonym for people from Nepal, while Nepalese as a noun is used less commonly in contemporary style guides. First known in print in the 18th-19th centuries, the term broadened to include language, cuisine, and customs, paralleling other demonyms like Chinese or Turkish but with regional phonotactics that favored the -ese suffix. The pronunciation and capitalization stabilize with Nepalese as an adjective; the noun form Nepalese (person) is less common but encountered in encyclopedic or formal writing. Modern usage often prefers Nepali for the language or Nepalese for people with regional specificity; cependant, regional editors may vary, so consistency with a given style guide (APA, Chicago, etc.) is advised.
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Words that rhyme with "Nepalese"
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