How to pronounce Edinburgh
Say it like ED-un-buh-roh. Edinburgh has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Edinburgh. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ED
- un
- buh
- roh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Edinburgh pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of Edinburgh
American and British speakers say Edinburgh in essentially the same way: /ˈɛdənbəroʊ/ in the US and /ˈɛdɪnbərə/ in the UK.
British respelling: ED-in-buh-ruh.
What does Edinburgh mean?
- The capital city of Scotland.
- A town in Mpumalanga province, South Africa.
Where does Edinburgh come from?
From Middle English Edynburgh, from Old Welsh Eidyn, a Celtic/Brythonic region of uncertain origin (possibly a personal name; compare Proto-Celtic *dūnom (“stronghold”)) + Old English burg (“castle, stronghold”).
Questions about saying Edinburgh
How do you pronounce Edinburgh?
Say ED-un-buh-roh. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛdənbəroʊ/. In British English it is /ˈɛdɪnbərə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ED). Broken into parts: ED · un · buh · roh.
Do Americans and Brits say Edinburgh the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɛdənbəroʊ/ and the British form is /ˈɛdɪnbərə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.