How to pronounce Kiribati
Say it like KEE-rih-bas. Kiribati has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Kiribati. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KEE
- rih
- bas
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kiribati pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- basKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of Kiribati
American and British speakers say Kiribati in essentially the same way: /ˈkirɪbæs/ in the US and /ˈkiːrɪbæs/ in the UK.
British respelling: KEE-rih-bas.
What does Kiribati mean?
- A country consisting mostly of the Gilbert Islands archipelago, located in Micronesia in Oceania. Official name: Republic of Kiribati. Capital and largest city: South Tarawa.
Where does Kiribati come from?
"Kiribati" was chosen as the republic's name by Chief Minister Sir Ieremia Tabai and his cabinet to represent his country's modernization and extent beyond the Gilbert Islands, which are natively known as Tungaru.
Questions about saying Kiribati
How do you pronounce Kiribati?
Say KEE-rih-bas. The American pronunciation is /ˈkirɪbæs/. In British English it is /ˈkiːrɪbæs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Kiribati?
Kiribati has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KEE). Broken into parts: KEE · rih · bas.
Do Americans and Brits say Kiribati the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkirɪbæs/ and the British form is /ˈkiːrɪbæs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.