How to Pronounce “Unable” /ʌnˈeɪbəl/ — IPA, Audio, and Syllables
Pronunciation of “Unable” at a Glance
Not able to do something; lacking the capacity or possibility.
In IPA, "unable" is written /ʌnˈeɪbəl/. It has 3 syllables, with the primary stress falling on the second syllable.
How Many Syllables in “Unable”?
"unable" has 3 syllables: un-a-ble. The second syllable, "a", carries the main stress when you say the word out loud.
A common way to count syllables is to put your hand under your chin and say "unable" naturally — your jaw will drop 3 times, once for each vowel sound.
How to Say Each Syllable of “Unable”
Pronouncing "unable" cleanly comes down to nailing each syllable on its own before putting them back together. Here is what your mouth, tongue, and lips do for each part.
Syllable 1: un
Rounded /u/ as in "boot" — lips forward.
Syllable 2: A
Speak this syllable a little louder, longer, and at a higher pitch — that is what English speakers hear as "stress".
Syllable 3: ble
Mid-front /e/ as in "bed" — mouth open about halfway.
Once each syllable feels comfortable, blend them at a slow pace ("un · a · ble") and gradually speed up to natural speech.
Which Syllable is Stressed in “Unable”?
The second syllable, "a", is stressed in "unable". The stress pattern is oOs — meaning unstressed, then primary stress, then secondary stress.
What "stress" means in English pronunciation
Stressed syllables are spoken louder, longer, and at a higher pitch. Unstressed syllables are quick and quiet, and their vowels often reduce to a short schwa sound /ə/. Getting the stress right is often more important than getting every consonant perfect — wrong stress is the single biggest reason native speakers misunderstand learners.
So when you say "unable", make "A" the loudest, clearest part of the word, and keep the other syllables shorter and quieter.
Common Mispronunciation of “Unable”
Some say 'UN-able' with stress on first syllable; correct is un-AY-bul.
Some say 'UN-able' with stress on first syllable; correct is un-AY-bul.
Why it happens
Mispronunciations of "unable" usually come from one of three places: spelling-driven guessing (the spelling tempts learners toward a sound that is not actually used), wrong stress placement, or transferring a vowel sound from the speaker's first language. Once you have heard the correct version a few times and matched it with the IPA /ʌnˈeɪbəl/ above, the spelling stops misleading you.
How to Practice Saying “Unable”
Practice tip for "unable"
Stress on second syllable: un-AY-bul. The 'a' is the long 'a' vowel sound.
Click the button, say the word out loud, and the page will score how close you are to the correct pronunciation.
Hear “Unable” in Real Sentences
The fastest way to internalise a new pronunciation is to hear it inside natural sentences, where rhythm, linking, and stress all interact. Tap any sentence below to hear it spoken aloud.
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I am unable to attend the meeting tomorrow.
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The child was unable to reach the top shelf.
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Despite numerous attempts, the team remained unable to solve the complex equation.
Practice tip: shadow each sentence — play it, immediately repeat it out loud, then play it again to compare. Three rounds is usually enough to lock in the rhythm.
Words That Sound Like “Unable”
Looking for words that rhyme with "unable"? The full rhyming dictionary entry has perfect rhymes, near-rhymes, and rhyming phrases for songwriting and pronunciation practice.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Pronounce “Unable”
How do you pronounce "unable"?
"Unable" is pronounced /ʌnˈeɪbəl/. Stress on second syllable: un-AY-bul. The 'a' is the long 'a' vowel sound.
How many syllables does "unable" have?
"unable" has 3 syllables: un-a-ble.
Which syllable is stressed in "unable"?
The second syllable, "a", is stressed in "unable". The full stress pattern is oOs — primary stress on "a", and the remaining syllables are unstressed.
What's a common mispronunciation of "unable"?
Some say 'UN-able' with stress on first syllable; correct is un-AY-bul.
Is "unable" pronounced the same in American and British English?
"unable" is pronounced essentially the same way in American and British English: /ʌnˈeɪbəl/.