How to pronounce bongo
Say it like BONG-goh. Bongo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BONG).
VoiceSpeed
US American/ˈbɑŋˌɡoʊ/BONG-goh
UK British/ˈbɒŋɡəʊ/BONG-goh
- BONG
- goh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bongo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BONGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- gohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of bongo
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: BONG-goh.
What does bongo mean?
noun
- A striped bovine mammal found in Africa, Tragelaphus eurycerus.
- Either of a pair of small drums of Cuban origin, played by beating with the hands.
- To play the bongo drums.
- Of the heart, etc.: to beat with an irregular rhythm.
- To hit something rhythmically with the hands.
Where does bongo come from?
From Spanish bongo.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- bongo drum
- tragelaphus eurycerus
- boocercus eurycerus
Words that rhyme with bongo
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bongo.
Questions about saying bongo
How do you pronounce bongo?
Say BONG-goh. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑŋˌɡoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈbɒŋɡəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bongo?
Bongo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BONG). Broken into parts: BONG · goh.
Is bongo 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 /ˈbɒŋɡəʊ/ (BONG-goh).