How to pronounce cumbia
Say it like KUHM-bee-uh. Cumbia has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cumbia. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KUHM
- bee
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cumbia pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- beeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cumbia
American and British speakers say cumbia in essentially the same way: /ˈkʌmbiə/ in the US and /ˈkʌmbiə/ in the UK.
British respelling: KUHM-bee-uh.
What does cumbia mean?
- A traditional style of Colombian dance and music, or a piece in this style.
Where does cumbia come from?
From Colombian and Panamanian Spanish cumbia.
Questions about saying cumbia
How do you pronounce cumbia?
Say KUHM-bee-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˈkʌmbiə/. In British English it is /ˈkʌmbiə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cumbia?
Cumbia has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUHM). Broken into parts: KUHM · bee · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say cumbia the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkʌmbiə/ and the British form is /ˈkʌmbiə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.