How to Pronounce "paella"
The correct pronunciation of "paella" is pai-EL-yuh /paɪˈelə/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "pa-ELL-a" habit for good.
paella
/paɪˈelə/A Spanish rice dish cooked with saffron, seafood, meat and vegetables.
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Record yourself saying “paella” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "pa-ELL-a" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "pa-ELL-a" by pronouncing the 'll' as an 'l'. | pai-EL-yuh /paɪˈelə/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | Second syllable (EL). |
How Do You Pronounce "paella"?
"paella" is pronounced pai-EL-yuh /paɪˈelə/. The stress is on the second syllable (EL). As a noun, it means a Spanish rice dish cooked with saffron, seafood, meat and vegetables.
The double 'll' is a 'y' sound and 'ae' splits into 'pai-EL': pai-EL-yuh, not 'pa-ELL-a'.
Note: Closer to the Spanish /paˈeʎa/, but /paɪˈelə/ ("pai-EL-uh") is the standard English form; the 'll' is a 'y' sound.
Say "paella" 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
pai-EL-yuh — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
Second syllable (EL). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The double 'll' is a 'y' sound and 'ae' splits into 'pai-EL': pai-EL-yuh, not 'pa-ELL-a'.
Blend and repeat
Now say "paella" at normal speed: pai-EL-yuh. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "paella" (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.
yes → pai-EL-yuh
The 'll' is the 'y' of 'yes'.
NOT pa-ELL-a — pai-EL-yuh
No hard 'l'; use a 'y'.
Say at speed: "We ordered seafood paella."
Keep the 'y' sound.
Why "paella" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian speakers read 'll' as an 'l', but in this Spanish loanword 'll' is pronounced like a 'y'.
Tip: Turn the 'll' into a 'y': pai-EL-yuh.
Hear “paella” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
We ordered seafood paella.
The paella was full of prawns.
She cooked paella for the party.
Words Related to "paella"
Now say it inside a sentence
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Frequently Asked Questions
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