2 syllables: Srps, ka. Stress on Srps.
SRUHP-skuh
/ˈsɹʌpskə/
Srpska is pronounced SRUHP-skuh (/ˈsɹʌpskə/). It has two syllables (Srps-ka), with the stress on "Srps". Srpska is a feminine proper noun used to refer to things related to Serbia, notably as an adjectival or possessive form in Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian contexts (e.g., Srpska Pravlalat, Srpska as in a national or cultural identifier). It functions as a proper name element, often seen in political, regional, or organizational titles, and may appear in phrases like Srpska zajednica (Serbian community).
nounSrpska is a feminine proper noun used to refer to things related to Serbia, notably as an adjectival or possessive form in Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian contexts (e.g., Srpska Pravlalat, Srpska as in a national or cultural identifier). It functions as a proper name element, often seen in political, regional, or organizational titles, and may appear in phrases like Srpska zajednica (Serbian community).
- You may mispronounce the initial cluster as separate consonants; instead blend SRP into a single onset and then move to -ska. - Do not overemphasize the final -ska; keep the second syllable lighter and shorter (schwa-like). - Avoid over-stressing the second syllable; the main stress is on the first syllable. - Ensure the 'r' is not rolled too hard; keep it light and quick to allow a natural transition to 'p'.
"The conference featured Srpska culture and folklore exhibits."
"She joined the Srpska diaspora association to connect with other Bosian Serbians."
"The museum hosts a Srpska collection of medieval artifacts."
Pronounce as SRP-ska, with the emphasis on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˈsɜːrpskə/. Start with an initial stressed 'srp' cluster where 'sr' is one sound cluster; follow with 'ska' as a lighter, unstressed syllable. Ensure the vowel in the first syllable is a mid-central, rhotlized sound close to 'sirps' without a full 'er' diphthong. End with a soft 'ska' sounding like 'ska' in 'skate' but with a reduced vowel, as in unstressed 'ə'. Audio reference: Pronounce dictionary or Forvo entry: Srpska.
Common errors include turning the initial cluster SRP into separate consonants (s-r-p) or misplacing the stress on the second syllable. Also, the final -ska is often pronounced with a full 'a' like 'ska' in 'starka' rather than a reduced 'ə' ending. Correct by merging SRP into a single onset with a palatal-like 'r' and keeping the final -a weak. Practice with SRP- skə using minimal pairs.
Across accents, initial 'Srp' can sound tighter in US and UK due to less rhoticity; US often uses a slightly rounded 'ɜː' vowel in the first syllable, UK similar; AU might reduce the first syllable slightly more and produce a central vowel in the second syllable. Overall, the primary difference is the duration and vocalic clarity of the second syllable '-ska' where some accents reduce the vowel further. IPA reference: /ˈsɜːrpskə/.
The word combines a consonant cluster 'srp' with a short, unstressed '-ska', and includes a palatalized 'r' and a reduced final vowel. Non-native speakers often uncouple the 'srp' cluster, or overemphasize the final '-ska'. Practice with rapid transitions from the alveolar trill to the consonant cluster and work on reducing the second vowel to a schwa-like sound to achieve natural flow.
Is the 'rp' sequence in 'Srpska' intended to be pronounced as a single unit or two separate consonants? It’s a tight cluster where the 'r' is retroflex or alveolar with a short, ön-like tap between 'r' and 'p'; speakers should blend the cluster without a strong break, producing a compact onset 'srp' before the '-ska'.
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- US: Keep a rhotic, slightly longer first vowel; - UK: Use a tighter, more clipped first syllable; - AU: Slightly more centralized vowel quality; - IPA: /ˈsɜːrpskə/ for all general cases; - Vowels: First vowel should be mid-back central; - Final vowel is schwa-like; - Blending: Onset 'srp' is a single unit; relax jaw and keep tongue tip near alveolar ridge.
Srpska derives from Serb/Serbia root, adapted to South Slavic feminine/descriptor form via Slavic feminine adjectives ending in -a such as bosanska, hrvatska, serbska. The term evolves from Proto-Slavic *Srъbъ (Serb) to modern Serbsky/Serbska forms, attaching to nouns or descriptors to indicate relation to Serbia or Serbian people. In Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian, the suffix -ska yields feminine adjectives or demonyms, often used in toponyms and organizational names. First known written uses appear in 19th-century South Slavic scholarly and political texts as variants of Serbian identity in regional contexts, later stabilizing into standard adjectival usage in official documents and cultural references. Over time, Srpska has been used both descriptively (Srpska kultura) and as a title component (Srpska pravoslavna crkva), reflecting evolving national and regional identities across the Balkans. Modern use often centers on cultural, political, or organizational identifiers within Serb-associated communities outside of Serbia as well as within Serbia, maintaining its feminine, adjectival alignment with related nouns.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Srpska" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Srpska" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Srpska"
-ska sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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