How to Pronounce “Dubai”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /duːˈbaɪ/
- British (UK)
- /duːˈbaɪ/
What “Dubai” means
proper noun — A city in the United Arab Emirates; the capital of Dubai emirate.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “Dubai” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /duːˈbaɪ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Dubai" mean?
Dubai (proper noun): A city in the United Arab Emirates; the capital of Dubai emirate.
How do you pronounce "Dubai" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "Dubai", /duːˈbaɪ/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.
What is the IPA transcription of "Dubai"?
/duːˈbaɪ/ in American English, /duːˈbaɪ/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "Dubai"?
“Dubai” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /duːˈbaɪ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
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