How to pronounce djembe
Say it like JEM-bay. Djembe has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce djembe. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- JEM
- bay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Djembe pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- JEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- bayKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of djembe
American and British speakers say djembe in essentially the same way: /ˈdʒɛmbeɪ/ in the US and /ˈdʒɛmbeɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: JEM-bay.
What does djembe mean?
- A large, rope-tuned, skin-covered drum played with the bare hands, used in West African and some fusion music.
Where does djembe come from?
From French djembé, from Mandinka jembe which derives from the Bambara language, "djé" is the verb for "gather" and "bé" translates as "peace." As a result, "Anke djé, anke bé" which translates to "everyone gather together in peace" and def
Questions about saying djembe
How do you pronounce djembe?
Say JEM-bay. The American pronunciation is /ˈdʒɛmbeɪ/. In British English it is /ˈdʒɛmbeɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in djembe?
Djembe has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (JEM). Broken into parts: JEM · bay.
Do Americans and Brits say djembe the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdʒɛmbeɪ/ and the British form is /ˈdʒɛmbeɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.