Accra is the capital city of Ghana, a proper noun used for a specific place. It is commonly pronounced with two syllables and a soft initial vowel, serving as a key to a broad West African urban context. In everyday use, it functions as a location name in formal and informal contexts alike.
"We flew to Accra for the conference and stayed near the coast."
"Accra’s markets are renowned for their vibrant crafts and food stalls."
"The NGO operates programs in Accra and surrounding communities."
"She spoke about experiences in Accra during her presentation."
Accra derives from the Akan language term ‘Akra,’ a name for the ancient trading settlement that became the modern city. The name evolved through colonial and post-colonial administration as European maps and English-language governance standardized the spelling ‘Accra.’ In Akan, the word likely reflects a geographic or political center, with earliest references appearing in trade and missionary records dating to the 17th–18th centuries. The city’s identity shifted under British colonial rule into a formal administrative capital; after independence in 1957, Accra retained its status as the national capital. The English adoption solidified the current toponym, with occasional alternative spellings in historical texts, but modern usage consistently employs “Accra.” The pronunciation has stabilized with two syllables: ac- cra, with stress commonly on the first syllable in English usage, though Akan influence may affect local speech patterns. Over time, Accra has grown into a major economic and cultural hub in West Africa, influencing regional media, education, and urban development discourse. First known use in English records appears in 18th- to 19th-century colonial writings, where it was used to designate the coastal settlement. In contemporary use, Accra is both a city and a symbol of modern Ghana, featuring in global diplomacy, tourism, and international business.
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Words that rhyme with "Accra"
-ara sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce it as AC-cra, with two syllables and primary stress on the first. IPA: US/UK/AU: /ˈæ.krə/. The first vowel is the near-front short a as in 'cat,' and the second syllable is a relaxed /rə/ with a schwa-like ending. Tip: keep the tongue high-mid in the first vowel, and release a clear, light /k/ before the r-controlled second syllable. You’ll hear a crisp, two-beat rhythm, not a drawn-out ending.
Common errors: 1) making the second syllable too strong, turning /rə/ into /rəː/ or /raː/. 2) misplacing the stress, saying ac-CRA. 3) replacing /k/ with a hard stop in the second syllable. Correction: keep /k/ crisp and lightly release into /rə/; ensure primary stress on the first syllable /ˈæ/ and keep the second syllable unstressed. Practice with minimal pairs like AC-ra vs ac-RA to feel the rhythm.
In US/UK/AU, all share /ˈæ.krə/ with a non-rhotic tendency, but vowel quality can vary: US often a slightly higher /æ/; UK may have a shorter, clipped /æ/ with crisper /k/ release; AU tends to flatter vowels and a softer /r/ in non-rhotic speech, with a gentle /ə/ in the second syllable. Across accents, the main difference is vowel height and the length of the second syllable; all retain two syllables and a primary stress on the first.
Difficult due to the short, sharp first vowel and the quick transition to the rounded, unstressed second syllable. The /æ/ can be tricky for non-native speakers who transfer closer to /a/ or /ə/ in other languages. The /k/ + /r/ cluster in /ˈæ.krə/ requires a clean stop and a smooth rhotic release. Attaining the right balance between crisp onset and a soft second syllable challenges rhythm and stress.
No letters are silent in standard English pronunciation of Accra. It is pronounced with two audible syllables: /ˈæ.krə/. The first syllable contains the short /æ/ sound, the second uses a reduced /rə/ ending. Some non-native speakers might skip the schwa sound, saying /ˈækrə/ with a more pronounced second syllable; practice keeping the second syllable lighter to match native rhythm.
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