How to pronounce Gothenburg
Say it like GOTH-un-burg. Gothenburg has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GOTH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Gothenburg. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GOTH
- un
- burg
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gothenburg pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GOTHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- burgKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of Gothenburg
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: GOTH-un-burg.
What does Gothenburg mean?
- A city on the west coast of Sweden, in the province of Västergötland. It is the second-largest city in Sweden.
Where does Gothenburg come from?
Ultimately from Swedish Göteborg, probably via German Gothenburg (now archaic).
Questions about saying Gothenburg
How do you pronounce Gothenburg?
Say GOTH-un-burg. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡɑθənbɝɡ/. In British English it is /ˈɡɒθənbɜːɡ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Gothenburg?
Gothenburg has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GOTH). Broken into parts: GOTH · un · burg.
Is Gothenburg pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈɡɒθənbɜːɡ/ (GOTH-un-burg).