In a delayed naming task the effect of syllable frequency on the production time of syllables was investigated. Participants first heard either a low- or a high-frequency syllable and were then asked to repeat this syllable as often as they could for a time span of eight seconds. Mean production times per syllable were determined. When the segmental make-up of high- and low-frequency syllables was completely matched, there was no frequency effect on production time. It is concluded that syllable frequency does not play a role on the articulatory-motor level in speech production.