How to pronounce marimba
Say it like muh-RIM-buh. Marimba has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RIM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce marimba. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- muh
- RIM
- buh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Marimba pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RIMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of marimba
American and British speakers say marimba in essentially the same way: /məˈrɪmbə/ in the US and /məˈrɪmbə/ in the UK.
British respelling: muh-RIM-buh.
What does marimba mean?
- A percussion instrument with African origins, similar to a xylophone with resonators, but much lower in range and darker in timbre.
Where does marimba come from?
From Portuguese marimba, via a Bantu source, perhaps Kimbundu marimba (“xylophone”).
Questions about saying marimba
How do you pronounce marimba?
Say muh-RIM-buh. The American pronunciation is /məˈrɪmbə/. In British English it is /məˈrɪmbə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in marimba?
Marimba has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RIM). Broken into parts: muh · RIM · buh.
Do Americans and Brits say marimba the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /məˈrɪmbə/ and the British form is /məˈrɪmbə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.