How to Pronounce "colleague"
The correct pronunciation of "colleague" is KOL-eeg /ˈkɒl.iːɡ/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "ko-LEEG" habit for good.
colleague
/ˈkɒl.iːɡ/A person you work with.
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The mistake and the fix, said out loud. Play it once, then say it back before you read on.
Stop Stressing COLLEAGUE Wrong 💼 Pronunciation
KOL-eeg, not ko-LEEG
The Indian-English Mistake: "ko-LEEG" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Stressing the second syllable: "ko-LEEG". | KOL-eeg /ˈkɒl.iːɡ/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | First syllable (KOL). |
How Do You Pronounce "colleague"?
"colleague" is pronounced KOL-eeg /ˈkɒl.iːɡ/. The stress is on the first syllable (KOL). As a noun, it means a person you work with.
Two syllables with stress on the first: KOL-eeg. The "ea" is a long "ee".
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "colleague" Step by Step
Break the word down, get the stress right, then blend it back together at normal speed. Repeat each step out loud three times.
Break it into syllables
KOL-eeg — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
First syllable (KOL). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
Two syllables with stress on the first: KOL-eeg. The "ea" is a long "ee".
Blend and repeat
Now say "colleague" at normal speed: KOL-eeg. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "colleague" (2 Minutes, Out Loud)
Say each drill line aloud, slowly first, then at normal speed. On the last drill, use the mic check at the top of this page to test yourself.
league → leeg → KOL-eeg
The ending sounds like "league"; the stress moves to KOL.
NOT ko-LEEG — KOL-eeg
Hit the first syllable hard, then a quick, light "eeg".
Say at speed: "My colleague helped me."
Front stress: KOL-eeg, never ko-LEEG, even at pace.
Why "colleague" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian English often shifts stress to later syllables in borrowed words.
Tip: Hit "KOL" first, then a quick "eeg": KOL-eeg.
Hear “colleague” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
My colleague helped me.
She is a senior colleague.
I trust my colleagues.
Words Related to "colleague"
Related: league
The "-eague" = "eeg": LEEG.
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "colleague" right on its own is the easy part. Pronunciation only sticks in connected speech. Read a passage aloud and get scored on accuracy and pace, word by word — free, no login.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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