How to pronounce Madagascar
Say it like mad-uh-GAS-ker. Madagascar has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (GAS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Madagascar. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- mad
- uh
- GAS
- ker
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Madagascar pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- madGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- GASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- kerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of Madagascar
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: mad-a-GAS-kuh.
What does Madagascar mean?
- An island and country off the east coast of Africa. Official name: Republic of Madagascar. Capital: Antananarivo.
Where does Madagascar come from?
"Mālāī-Gezīra" also holds connection to the term for the people and languages of the island, Malagasy, which had earlier forms Malegass and Madegass, because of dialect division.
Words that rhyme with Madagascar
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Madagascar.
Questions about saying Madagascar
How do you pronounce Madagascar?
Say mad-uh-GAS-ker. The American pronunciation is /ˌmædəˈɡæskɚ/. In British English it is /ˌmædæˈɡæskə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Madagascar?
Madagascar has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (GAS). Broken into parts: mad · uh · GAS · ker.
Is Madagascar 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 /ˌmædæˈɡæskə/ (mad-a-GAS-kuh).