How to Pronounce “Gothenburg”

American (US)

/ˈɡɑːθənbɜːrɡ/

British (UK)

/ˈɡɒθənbɜːɡ/

proper noun — A city on the west coast of Sweden, in the province of Västergötland. It is the second-largest city in Sweden.

Where the stress falls. “Gothenburg” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɡɑːθənbɜːrɡ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈɡɑːθənbɜːrɡ/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "Gothenburg" mean?

Gothenburg (proper noun): A city on the west coast of Sweden, in the province of Västergötland. It is the second-largest city in Sweden.

How do you pronounce "Gothenburg" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈɡɑːθənbɜːrɡ/. British English: /ˈɡɒθənbɜːɡ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "Gothenburg"?

/ˈɡɑːθənbɜːrɡ/ in American English, /ˈɡɒθənbɜːɡ/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "Gothenburg"?

“Gothenburg” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɡɑːθənbɜːrɡ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.