How to pronounce namaste
Say it like NUHM-uh-stay. Namaste has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce namaste. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NUHM
- uh
- stay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Namaste pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- stayKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of namaste
American and British speakers say namaste in essentially the same way: /ˈnʌməsteɪ/ in the US and /ˈnʌməsteɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: NUHM-uh-stay.
What does namaste mean?
- A greeting in contexts relating to Indian culture or the New Age movement.
- Thank you (via a misunderstanding of the meaning of the associated gesture).
- The traditional greeting when saying the word namaste, with folded hands and a slight bow.
- In yoga, the pose associated with this word, usually with the flat hands held palms together, fingers up, in front of the heart and a slight bow.
- To utter "namaste".“The yoga instructor namasted, and the class began.”
Questions about saying namaste
How do you pronounce namaste?
Say NUHM-uh-stay. The American pronunciation is /ˈnʌməsteɪ/. In British English it is /ˈnʌməsteɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in namaste?
Namaste has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NUHM). Broken into parts: NUHM · uh · stay.
Do Americans and Brits say namaste the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈnʌməsteɪ/ and the British form is /ˈnʌməsteɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.