How to pronounce biltong
Say it like BIL-tong. Biltong has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce biltong. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BIL
- tong
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Biltong pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tongGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of biltong
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: BIL-tong.
What does biltong mean?
- A South African food categorized by strips of lean meat cured by salting and drying, similar to American jerky.
Where does biltong come from?
Borrowed from Afrikaans biltong, from bil (“buttock, hindquarter”) + tong (“tongue, strip”).
Questions about saying biltong
How do you pronounce biltong?
Say BIL-tong. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɪlˌtɑŋ/. In British English it is /ˈbɪlˌtɒŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in biltong?
Biltong has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIL). Broken into parts: BIL · tong.
Is biltong pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈbɪlˌtɒŋ/ (BIL-tong).