How to pronounce Rotterdam
Say it like ROT-er-dam. Rotterdam has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Rotterdam. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ROT
- er
- dam
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rotterdam pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ROTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- damGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of Rotterdam
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ROT-uh-dam.
What does Rotterdam mean?
- the 2nd largest city in the Netherlands; located in the western Netherlands near the North Sea
Questions about saying Rotterdam
How do you pronounce Rotterdam?
Say ROT-er-dam. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɑtɚˌdæm/. In British English it is /ˈrɒtəˌdæm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Rotterdam?
Rotterdam has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROT). Broken into parts: ROT · er · dam.
Is Rotterdam pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈrɒtəˌdæm/ (ROT-uh-dam).