How to pronounce Kansas
Say it like KAN-zus. Kansas has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Kansas. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAN
- zus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kansas pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- zusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of Kansas
American and British speakers say Kansas in essentially the same way: /ˈkænzəs/ in the US and /ˈkænzəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAN-zus.
What does Kansas mean?
- A state of the midwest United States. Capital: Topeka. Largest city: Wichita.
- A river in northeast Kansas.
Where does Kansas come from?
From a Siouan ethnonym cognate to Kansa; related to Arkansas, which see for more information.
Questions about saying Kansas
How do you pronounce Kansas?
Say KAN-zus. The American pronunciation is /ˈkænzəs/. In British English it is /ˈkænzəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Kansas?
Kansas has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN). Broken into parts: KAN · zus.
Do Americans and Brits say Kansas the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkænzəs/ and the British form is /ˈkænzəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.