How to pronounce penguin
Say it like PENG-gwun. Penguin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PENG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce penguin. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PENG
- gwun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Penguin pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PENGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- gwunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of penguin
American and British speakers say penguin in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛŋɡwən/ in the US and /ˈpɛŋɡwɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: PENG-gwin.
What does penguin mean?
- short-legged flightless birds of cold southern especially Antarctic regions having webbed feet and wings modified as flippers
Questions about saying penguin
How do you pronounce penguin?
Say PENG-gwun. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛŋɡwən/. In British English it is /ˈpɛŋɡwɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in penguin?
Penguin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PENG). Broken into parts: PENG · gwun.
Do Americans and Brits say penguin the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛŋɡwən/ and the British form is /ˈpɛŋɡwɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.