How to pronounce Birmingham
Say it like BUR-ming-ham. Birmingham has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Birmingham. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BUR
- ming
- ham
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Birmingham pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- mingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- hamGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of Birmingham
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BUR-ming-um.
What does Birmingham mean?
- A major city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England, historically in Warwickshire with a population of over one million.
Where does Birmingham come from?
From Old English *Beormingahām, “homestead of the Beormingas, i.e.
Questions about saying Birmingham
How do you pronounce Birmingham?
Say BUR-ming-ham. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɝmɪŋˌhæm/. In British English it is /ˈbɜːmɪŋəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Birmingham?
Birmingham has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BUR). Broken into parts: BUR · ming · ham.
Is Birmingham pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈbɜːmɪŋəm/ (BUR-ming-um).