How to pronounce conga
Say it like KAHNG-guh. Conga has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAHNG).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce conga. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈkɑŋɡə/KAHNG-guh
UK British/ˈkɒŋɡə/KONG-guh
- KAHNG
- guh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Conga pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAHNGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- guhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of conga
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KONG-guh.
What does conga mean?
noun
- A tall, narrow, single-headed Cuban hand drum of African origin.
- A march of Cuban origin in four-four time in which people form a chain, each holding the hips of the person in front of them; in each bar, dancers take three shuffle steps and then kick alternate legs outwards at the beat; the chain weaves around the place and allows new participants to join the bac
- To dance the conga.
Questions about saying conga
How do you pronounce conga?
Say KAHNG-guh. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑŋɡə/. In British English it is /ˈkɒŋɡə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in conga?
Conga has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAHNG). Broken into parts: KAHNG · guh.
Is conga 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 /ˈkɒŋɡə/ (KONG-guh).