3 syllables: Bu, da, pest. Stress on Bu.
BOO-duh-pest
/ˈbudəˌpɛst/
Budapest is pronounced BOO-duh-pest (/ˈbudəˌpɛst/). It has three syllables (Bu-da-pest), with the stress on "Bu". Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary, known for its historic architecture, thermal baths, and cultural scene. The name refers to the union of Buda and Pest on opposite sides of the Danube River. In everyday use, it designates the city as a cultural and administrative hub and a major travel destination.
nounBudapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary, known for its historic architecture, thermal baths, and cultural scene. The name refers to the union of Buda and Pest on opposite sides of the Danube River. In everyday use, it designates the city as a cultural and administrative hub and a major travel destination.
"We spent a week exploring Budapest’s thermal baths and vibrant markets."
"Budapest is famous for its parliaments building and scenic river views."
"I took a walking tour through Budapest's historic Castle District."
In English, say Buh-DAH-pest with stress on the second syllable’s
Common errors include stressing the first syllable or misplacing the second syllable stress. Focus on a clear middle syllable and a short, crisp final -est. The Budapest syllable sequence is /ˌbjuːdəˈpɛst/ in many US/UK renderings, ensuring the V and D blends are smooth.
US tends to a lighter first diphthong on 'Bu' and strong 'da' vs. final 'pest'; UK aligns closer to /ˌbjuːdəˈpɛst/ with similar rhythm; Australian often reduces the initial /juː/ to /jə/ and keeps a crisp final -st. In all cases the stress stays near the second syllable.
Three factors: the cluster /dɒ/ vs. /də/ in the middle, the unstressed but audible second syllable, and the trailing /-pɛst/ which can sound almost like /-pəst/ if the speaker’s English is not precise.
Budapest features a medium-heavy syllable structure, with a clear staccato final consonant cluster /st/. The middle syllable /də/ or /də/ has a reduced vowel in many English renditions, so your challenge is to produce a clean, non-syllabic end to -da- and crisp -st at the end.
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Budapest derives from the historic villages of Buda and Pest, which occupied opposite banks of the Danube. The name likely emerged after their unification in 1873, though settlements at the site date to Roman times, with Buda and Pest appearing in documents in the 13th century. The term combines Buda (from Slavic or possibly Duna) and Pest (attached to the Hungarian word pestis or related topographic terms). Over time, as the city grew into Hungary’s political and cultural heart, Budapest became the standard to refer to the combined urban area and capital city. The word entered international usage with the 19th-century urban consolidation and has since carried the sense of “capital city of Hungary” in many languages, while locally it remains a proper noun with unique pronunciation patterns in Hungarian and international contexts.
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Help others use "Budapest" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Budapest" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Budapest" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Budapest"
-dit sounds
-ead sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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