3 syllables: ca, me, roon. Stress on ca.
KAM-ur-oon
/ˈkæmɚˌun/
cameroon is pronounced KAM-ur-oon (/ˈkæmɚˌun/). It has three syllables (ca-me-roon), with the stress on "ca". Cameroon is a country in Central Africa. The word typically functions as a proper noun and is often pronounced with stress on the second syllable. The term derives from the Portuguese name for the Wouri River and the region it flows through, later standardized as the nation's name in English usage.
Cameroon is a country in Central Africa. The word typically functions as a proper noun and is often pronounced with stress on the second syllable. The term derives from the Portuguese name for the Wouri River and the region it flows through, later standardized as the nation's name in English usage.
"I studied the history and culture of Cameroon."
"Cameroon’s official languages include French and English."
"The Cameroonian economy relies on agriculture, oil, and services."
Pronunciation: kuh-MER-oon. IPA: US /ˌkæ.məˈruːn/ or /ˌkæ.məˈruːn/, UK /ˌkæ.məˈruːn/, AU /ˌkæ.məˈruːn/. Primary stress on the second syllable: -mer-; final '-oon' sounds like 'soon' but with an 'oo' as in 'moon'. Be careful not to reduce the second syllable excessively in connected speech. Audio reference: try listening to Forvo entry for Cameroon and Cambridge pronunciation examples.
Common mistakes include: (1) Stress placement on the first syllable (ca-ME-roon vs. CAM-er-oon). Correct as kuh-MER-oon with secondary stress-less emphasis on the first. (2) Vowel quality in the second syllable—avoid reducing to a schwa; use a clear 'mer' as in 'mer-eh-roon'. (3) Final '-oon' mispronounced as 'oo-n' with a tight 'n'—keep the long 'oo' sound followed by a soft 'n'. Practice with minimal pairs: cam-ER-oon vs. cam-uh-roon vs. cam-ER-own.
In US English, expect a sharper second-syllable 'mer' with a clear 'ee' or 'er' quality, and a long 'oo' in the final syllable. UK speakers tend to a slightly shorter vowel in the second syllable and more non-rhoticity in some contexts; however, 'Cameroon' remains mostly rhotic in typical speech, with strong 'oo' at the end. Australian pronunciation tends to be similar to US/UK but with broader vowel qualities and a slightly flatter intonation. Always listen to native speaker prompts for reference. IPA highlights: US /ˌkæ.məˈruːn/; UK /ˌkæ.məˈruːn/; AU /ˌkæ.məˈruːn/.
The difficulty comes from the multi-syllabic structure with a stress shift to the second syllable and the long 'oo' vowel in the final syllable, which is less common in some learners’ L1s. The 'mer' cluster requires a mid-central or mid-back tongue position, and the final 'ruːn' involves a rounded 'u' vowel close to 'moon' while maintaining an unvoiced nasal ending. Mastery involves practicing the sequence kuh-MER-oon with steady, even timing and clear vowel quality.
A unique, word-specific point is the contrast between the trochaic prompt of 'ca-' and the subsequent strong 'mer-' syllable, which demands a clear vowel and a slight raising of the tongue for 'mer.' The final 'oon' should be a long, rounded vowel like 'moon' but not lengthened into a trailing 'n' phoneme. The combination of stressed middle and final elongated vowel makes the word stand out in rhythm and needs deliberate coaching.
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The name Cameroon originates from the lower Congo River’s mouth region and the Wouri River estuary, where Portuguese explorers in the 15th century encountered a river they named Rio dos Camarões (literally 'River of Prawns' or 'Shrimp River'), referring to the abundant prawns in the area. The term was adopted by Europeans as Cameroons and eventually Cameroon in English usage. Over time, the colonial-era name Cameroon was pluralized in some languages to refer to the colony (Cameroun in French), but in English, the country settled on Cameroon. The first known uses in English date to the 17th–18th centuries in travel and geographic literature, gradually aligning with the modern nation-state formed in the 1960s after unification of regions. The etymology reflects both the natural resources (shrimp) and the geographic identity of the estuary, illustrating how colonial naming practices influenced modern toponymy. Note: The word’s pronunciation in English follows typical rules for loanwords and place names, with stress often falling on the second syllable in many English dialects, though some French-influenced contexts may render stress differently in casual speech.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "cameroon" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "cameroon"
-ron sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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