3 syllables: Gym, kha, nas. Stress on kha.
jim-KAH-nuhz
/dʒɪmˈkɑːnəz/
Gymkhanas is pronounced jim-KAH-nuhz (/dʒɪmˈkɑːnəz/). It has three syllables (Gym-kha-nas), with the stress on "kha". As a noun, a gymkhana is a competitive, multi-event event typically held in a gymnasium or park, where participants navigate a course through timed tasks and agility challenges. Gymkhanas (plural) refer to multiple such events or occasions. The term connotes organized, sport-like exhibitions combining skill, speed, and dexterity within a social or ceremonial setting.
nounA gymkhana is a competitive, multi-event event typically held in a gymnasium or park, where participants navigate a course through timed tasks and agility challenges. Gymkhanas (plural) refer to multiple such events or occasions. The term connotes organized, sport-like exhibitions combining skill, speed, and dexterity within a social or ceremonial setting.
- You might flatten the middle syllable to a weak /ə/ or overemphasize it, producing gym-KAN-as instead of gym-kə-nahs. To avoid this, practice a light, quick schwa in the middle and keep a crisp final /z/. - Another mistake is mispronouncing the initial /dʒ/ as /j/ or /ɡ/; ensure you start with a clear
"The city hosted a charity gymkhana featuring obstacle courses and relay races."
"At the university festival, students organized a gymkhana with quirky athletic challenges."
"Corporate teams joined the gymkhana to boost team-building and friendly competition."
Pronounce as /ˈdʒɪŋ.kəˌnɑːz/ or /ˈdʒɪŋ.kəˌnæs/ depending on accent. Primary stress on the first syllable gym-, with secondary stress on -khana-. The middle syllable is a schwa-like /ə/, and the final syllable ends with /z/. Tip: keep the first sound hard /dʒ/ as in 'gin,' then blur the middle into a light /ə/ before a crisp /n/ and clear /ɑː/ or /æ/ before the final /z/.
Common errors include: misplacing stress by over-emphasizing the middle syllable (ghan-uh-z) and flattening the middle /ə/ into a full vowel, making it sound like 'jim-KAN-as' or 'JIM-khan-uhz'. Also, some speakers substitute /nɑː/ with /næ/ or fail to voice the final /z/. Correction tips: keep gym- as /dʒɪŋ/ with clear /ɪ/; reduce the middle to a quick /ə/; ensure the final is voiced /z/ and not /s/.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈdʒɪŋ.kəˌnæz/ with a clearer /æ/ in the final syllable and a rhotic 'r'-less vibe in this word. UK English tends to deliver /ˈdʒɪŋ.kəˌnɑːz/ or /ˈdʒɪŋ.kəˌnænz/ with a longer /ɑː/ and less vowel reduction. Australian variants align with non-rhotic tendencies and may approach /ˈdʒɪŋ.kəˌnæːz/ with a slightly flatter final vowel. Overall, the main differences are in final vowel height and vowel length.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic rhythm and the awkward middle syllable, which requires a quick, neutral /ə/ versus a full vowel; plus the final z-voicing after /æ/ or /ɑː/. For many, the /dʒ/ onset and the cluster –kh- (velar-velar sound) requires precise tongue placement. Practicing the two smaller chunks—gym-kha- and -nas—helps this word flow naturally.
Unlike simple nouns, gymkhanas blends two morphemes with distinct syllables: gym (physical activity) and khana (place). The stress pattern is not equally distributed; the first syllable carries the strongest emphasis, with a secondary emphasis on the last two syllables. The 'kh' combination is uncommon in everyday English and benefits from a focused articulation of the velar fricative-like sound.
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- US: rhoticity is typical; non-rhotic tendencies are less common here, but you’ll still want a crisp /dʒ/ and a short middle /ə/. - UK: less rhotic; final vowel longer, stress stable on first syllable; focus on balanced vowel lengths for -ka- and -nas. - AU: flatter vowels, slight smoothing between syllables; maintain /dʒ/ onset and final /z/ voicing despite faster pace.
Gymkhana is borrowed from Indian English, formed from the Hindi or Urdu gymkhāna (खेलख़ाना), literally a place of games, or a gymnasium of sports. The term emerged in the late 19th to early 20th century during British colonial presence in India, charged with a sense of organized equestrian or athletic displays. In India, khana or ganha often denotes a place for a collection or assembly; gymkhana blended with gymnasium to describe a venue or event for physical activities. Early usage referred to organized exhibitions or horse-riding displays, later broadening to various athletic contests and social gatherings held by clubs or schools. In English, gymkhana retained a slightly informal, club-like aura and gradually shifted to denote multi-event games, often timed and obstacle-based, including running, archery, or demonstrations of skill. The plural gymkhanas appears when speaking of multiple such events or seasons, often with a sense of ongoing tradition. The word’s evolution reflects colonial-era sporting culture’s blending of Indian terms with English sporting language, sustaining in modern usage as a niche term for organized, sometimes carnival-like, athletic events. First known English attestations appear in sports journalism and club circulars from the early 1900s, with continued usage in Commonwealth countries.
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Words that rhyme with "Gymkhanas"
-ana sounds
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