How to pronounce Nihon
Say it like NIH-on. Nihon has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NIH).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Nihon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈnɪhɑn/NIH-on
UK British/ˈnɪhɒn/NIH-on
- NIH
- on
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nihon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NIHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- onKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of Nihon
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: NIH-on.
What does Nihon mean?
noun
- a constitutional monarchy occupying the Japanese Archipelago; a world leader in electronics and automobile manufacture and ship building
Questions about saying Nihon
How do you pronounce Nihon?
Say NIH-on. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɪhɑn/. In British English it is /ˈnɪhɒn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Nihon?
Nihon has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NIH). Broken into parts: NIH · on.
Is Nihon pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈnɪhɒn/ (NIH-on).