How to pronounce mzungu
Say it like um-ZUUN-goo. Mzungu has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZUUN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mzungu. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- um
- ZUUN
- goo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mzungu pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ZUUNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- gooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of mzungu
American and British speakers say mzungu in essentially the same way: /əmˈzʊnɡu/ in the US and /əmˈzʊnɡuː/ in the UK.
British respelling: um-ZUUN-goo.
What does mzungu mean?
- A white person.
Where does mzungu come from?
Borrowed from Swahili mzungu, from Common Bantu *mʊ̀díʊ́ngʊ̀.
Questions about saying mzungu
How do you pronounce mzungu?
Say um-ZUUN-goo. The American pronunciation is /əmˈzʊnɡu/. In British English it is /əmˈzʊnɡuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mzungu?
Mzungu has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZUUN). Broken into parts: um · ZUUN · goo.
Do Americans and Brits say mzungu the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əmˈzʊnɡu/ and the British form is /əmˈzʊnɡuː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.