How to Pronounce “nirvana”

American (US)

/nɪɹˈvɑ.nə/

British (UK)

/nɪəˈvɑː.nə/

Australian (AU)

/nɪəˈvɑː.nə/

noun — In Buddhism, release from suffering and rebirth; more loosely, a state of perfect bliss.

Example: A quiet Sunday is his idea of nirvana.

Where the stress falls. “nirvana” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /nɪɹˈvɑ.nə/ 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.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /nɪɹˈvɑ.nə/ 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 "nirvana" mean?

nirvana (noun): In Buddhism, release from suffering and rebirth; more loosely, a state of perfect bliss. For example — A quiet Sunday is his idea of nirvana.

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

American English: /nɪɹˈvɑ.nə/. British English: /nɪəˈvɑː.nə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "nirvana"?

/nɪɹˈvɑ.nə/ in American English, /nɪəˈvɑː.nə/ in British English, /nɪəˈvɑː.nə/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "nirvana"?

“nirvana” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /nɪɹˈvɑ.nə/ 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.