How to pronounce nene
Say it like NAY-nay. Nene has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nene. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NAY
- nay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nene pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- nayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of nene
American and British speakers say nene in essentially the same way: /ˈneɪˌneɪ/ in the US and /ˈneɪneɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: NAY-nay.
What does nene mean?
- The Hawaiian goose, Branta sandvicensis, which was designated the state bird of Hawaii in 1957.
Where does nene come from?
Borrowed from Hawaiian nēnē, which is imitative of the bird’s call.
Questions about saying nene
How do you pronounce nene?
Say NAY-nay. The American pronunciation is /ˈneɪˌneɪ/. In British English it is /ˈneɪneɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nene?
Nene has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAY). Broken into parts: NAY · nay.
Do Americans and Brits say nene the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈneɪˌneɪ/ and the British form is /ˈneɪneɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.