How to pronounce dinkum
Say it like DING-kum. Dinkum has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DING).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dinkum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DING
- kum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dinkum pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DINGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of dinkum
American and British speakers say dinkum in essentially the same way: /ˈdɪŋkəm/ in the US and /ˈdɪŋkəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: DING-kum.
What does dinkum mean?
- Genuine, true, honest, on the level.
- Truth.
Where does dinkum come from?
Unknown. Earliest recorded use in the phrase fair dinkum in 1879, from Australia.
Questions about saying dinkum
How do you pronounce dinkum?
Say DING-kum. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪŋkəm/. In British English it is /ˈdɪŋkəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dinkum?
Dinkum has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DING). Broken into parts: DING · kum.
Do Americans and Brits say dinkum the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɪŋkəm/ and the British form is /ˈdɪŋkəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.