How to pronounce mbira
Say it like muh-BIR-uh. Mbira has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mbira. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- muh
- BIR
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mbira 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.
- BIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of mbira
American and British speakers say mbira in essentially the same way: /məˈbɪrə/ in the US and /məˈbɪrə/ in the UK.
British respelling: muh-BIR-uh.
What does mbira mean?
- A thumb piano, a musical instrument having a small sound box fitted with a row of tuned tabs that are plucked with the thumbs, originating among the Shona of southern Africa; any type of plucked lamellophone of the same type as the Shona instrument.
Where does mbira come from?
Borrowed from Shona mbira (“thumb piano”).
Words that rhyme with mbira
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of mbira.
Questions about saying mbira
How do you pronounce mbira?
Say muh-BIR-uh. The American pronunciation is /məˈbɪrə/. In British English it is /məˈbɪrə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mbira?
Mbira has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BIR). Broken into parts: muh · BIR · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say mbira the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /məˈbɪrə/ and the British form is /məˈbɪrə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.