How to pronounce Nairobi
Say it like ny-ROH-bee. Nairobi has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ROH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Nairobi. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ny
- ROH
- bee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nairobi pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- nyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- ROHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- beeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of Nairobi
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ny-ROH-bee.
What does Nairobi mean?
- The capital city of Kenya.
Where does Nairobi come from?
From Maasai enkare nyrobi (“cold water, cold river”), the name of the Nairobi river.
Words that rhyme with Nairobi
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Nairobi.
Questions about saying Nairobi
How do you pronounce Nairobi?
Say ny-ROH-bee. The American pronunciation is /ˌnaɪˈroʊbi/. In British English it is /naɪˈrəʊbi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Nairobi?
Nairobi has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ROH). Broken into parts: ny · ROH · bee.
Is Nairobi 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 /naɪˈrəʊbi/ (ny-ROH-bee).