Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most iconic mountains in the world, and millions of people visit each year to take in its majestic beauty. As they prepare for their journey, they may also be wondering how to correctly pronounce the name of this massive mountain. This article provides a pronunciation guide to help them correctly say "Mount Kilimanjaro" in English.
Pronunciation Guide
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, and it is located in the country of Tanzania. The mountain’s name is derived from the Swahili term “kilima njaro”, which translates to “white mountain”. The pronunciation of the name is generally agreed upon to be “kee-lee-MAHN-jah-row”. It is a combination of three syllables, with the emphasis on the third syllable.
The word ‘mount’ is pronounced "maunt". The ‘t’ is silent, but the ‘m’ is pronounced. So the word sounds like "maun". ‘Kilimanjaro’ is pronounced with the emphasis on the third syllable, as stated above. The second syllable is pronounced with a long ‘i’ sound, such as in the word ‘tree’.
Correctly Pronouncing Mount Kilimanjaro
When pronouncing Mount Kilimanjaro, it is important to get the emphasis right. The name of the mountain should be pronounced as “maunt kee-lee-MAHN-jah-row”. It is a combination of three syllables, with the emphasis on the third syllable. This pronunciation should be used when referring to the mountain, as well as its surrounding area.
When speaking with locals in Tanzania, the name of the mountain may be pronounced differently. They may use the Swahili term “kilima njaro”, or another variation of its pronunciation. This is to be expected and should be respected.
It is also important to note that “Kilimanjaro” is not the same as “Kilimajaro”. The latter is a spelling variation and is pronounced differently. It is not the name of the mountain.
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most iconic mountains in the world, and it is important for people to know how to pronounce it correctly when referring to it. By following the pronunciation guide in this article, visitors can confidently say “maunt kee-lee-MAHN-jah-row” when referring to this wonderful mountain.
