How to pronounce Bohemian
Say it like boh-HEE-mee-un. Bohemian has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Bohemian. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- boh
- HEE
- mee
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bohemian pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- bohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- HEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- meeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of Bohemian
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: boh-HEE-mee-un.
What does Bohemian mean?
- a member of a people with dark skin and hair who speak Romany and who traditionally live by seasonal work and fortunetelling; they are believed to have originated in northern India but now are living on all continents (but mostly in Europe, North Africa, and North America)
- a native or inhabitant of Bohemia in the Czech Republic
- a nonconformist writer or artist who lives an unconventional life
- of or relating to Bohemia or its language or people
- unconventional in especially appearance and behavior“a bohemian life style”
Where does Bohemian come from?
Borrowed from French bohémien (“person from Bohemia”), from Bohême (“Bohemia”), equivalent to Bohemia + -an.
Questions about saying Bohemian
How do you pronounce Bohemian?
Say boh-HEE-mee-un. The American pronunciation is /boʊˈhimiən/. In British English it is /bəʊˈhiːmiən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Bohemian?
Bohemian has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HEE). Broken into parts: boh · HEE · mee · un.
Is Bohemian pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /bəʊˈhiːmiən/ (boh-HEE-mee-un).