How to pronounce Minnesota
Say it like min-ih-SOH-tuh. Minnesota has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Minnesota. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- min
- ih
- SOH
- tuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Minnesota pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- minGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of Minnesota
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: min-ih-SOH-tuh.
What does Minnesota mean?
- A state in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. Capital: Saint Paul. Largest city: Minneapolis.
- A tributary of the Mississippi River in southern Minnesota.
Where does Minnesota come from?
From Lakota mní šóta (literally “cloudy water”).
Words that rhyme with Minnesota
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Minnesota.
Questions about saying Minnesota
How do you pronounce Minnesota?
Say min-ih-SOH-tuh. The American pronunciation is /ˌmɪnɪˈsoʊtə/. In British English it is /ˌmɪnɪˈsəʊtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Minnesota?
Minnesota has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SOH). Broken into parts: min · ih · SOH · tuh.
Is Minnesota pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌmɪnɪˈsəʊtə/ (min-ih-SOH-tuh).