How to pronounce ubuntu
Say it like oo-BOO-too. Ubuntu has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ubuntu. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oo
- BOO
- too
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ubuntu pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- BOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- tooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of ubuntu
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: oo-BOO-tyoo.
What does ubuntu mean?
- A Nguni Bantu ideology focusing on people's allegiances and relations with each other.
Where does ubuntu come from?
Loanword from Zulu ubuntu (“humanity”) and Xhosa ubuntu (“humaneness, solidarity”).
Words that rhyme with ubuntu
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ubuntu.
Questions about saying ubuntu
How do you pronounce ubuntu?
Say oo-BOO-too. The American pronunciation is /ˌuˈbuˌtu/. In British English it is /ˌuːˈbuːˌtjuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ubuntu?
Ubuntu has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BOO). Broken into parts: oo · BOO · too.
Is ubuntu pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /ˌuːˈbuːˌtjuː/ (oo-BOO-tyoo).