How to pronounce matatu
Say it like muh-TAH-too. Matatu has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce matatu. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- muh
- TAH
- too
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Matatu 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.
- TAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of matatu
American and British speakers say matatu in essentially the same way: /məˈtɑˌtu/ in the US and /məˈtætuː/ in the UK.
British respelling: muh-TAT-oo.
What does matatu mean?
- A minivan used as a shared taxi, especially one operating without a licence.
Where does matatu come from?
Borrowed from Swahili matatu, from ma- + -tatu (“three”).
Questions about saying matatu
How do you pronounce matatu?
Say muh-TAH-too. The American pronunciation is /məˈtɑˌtu/. In British English it is /məˈtætuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in matatu?
Matatu has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAH). Broken into parts: muh · TAH · too.
Do Americans and Brits say matatu the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /məˈtɑˌtu/ and the British form is /məˈtætuː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.