How to pronounce Caribbean
Say it like kuh-RIB-ee-un. Caribbean has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RIB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Caribbean. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- RIB
- ee
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Caribbean pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RIBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep 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 Caribbean
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 3.
British respelling: kar-ih-BEE-un.
Other ways to say Caribbean
Caribbean also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- ker-ih-BEE-un /ˌkɛrɪˈbiən/
What does Caribbean mean?
- The Caribbean Sea.
- A continental region centered on the Caribbean Sea, consisting of those countries located in the sea and in bordering areas of South America and Central America.
Where does Caribbean come from?
From Carib or Caribe, a people who lived in the West Indies, + -an.
Words that rhyme with Caribbean
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Caribbean.
Questions about saying Caribbean
How do you pronounce Caribbean?
Say kuh-RIB-ee-un. The American pronunciation is /kəˈrɪbiən/. In British English it is /ˌkærɪˈbiːən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Caribbean?
Caribbean has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RIB). Broken into parts: kuh · RIB · ee · un.
Is Caribbean pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /ˌkærɪˈbiːən/ (kar-ih-BEE-un).