4 syllables: Hi, ro, shi, ma. Stress on shi.
hir-oh-SHEE-muh
/ˌhɪɹoʊˈʃimə/
Hiroshima is pronounced hir-oh-SHEE-muh (/ˌhɪɹoʊˈʃimə/). It has four syllables (Hi-ro-shi-ma), with the stress on "shi". Hiroshima is a proper noun referring to a major city in western Japan. It is commonly used in historical, geographical, and cultural contexts. The name is pronounced with four syllables and a sequence of consonants and vowels that can be challenging for non-native speakers due to Japanese phonotactics and pitch accent distinctions.
nounHiroshima is a proper noun referring to a major city in western Japan. It is commonly used in historical, geographical, and cultural contexts. The name is pronounced with four syllables and a sequence of consonants and vowels that can be challenging for non-native speakers due to Japanese phonotactics and pitch accent distinctions.
How to Pronounce Hiroshima
"The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park commemorates the city’s resilience."
"Researchers studied the effects of radiation exposure in Hiroshima after 1945."
"Hiroshima is often paired with Nagasaki when discussing World War II history."
Pronounce it as hi-RO-shee-ma with four syllables in English. IPA: US ˌhaɪroʊˈʃɪmə or ˌhɪroʊˈʃɪmə depending on speaker; UK ˌhɪərəˈʃɪmə; AU ˌhɪərəˈʃɪmə. Primary stress is typically on the third syllable shi, giving hi-ro-SHI-ma. Start with a light hi, then stress the r-o sequence before the soft ‘shi’ and final ‘ma’. Audio reference: you can listen to native pronunciation on Pronounce or Forvo, then imitate the rhythm and stress pattern.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress on the first or second syllable instead of the third; (2) Flattening the middle vowel into a single syllable like hi-ro-SHE-ma vs hi-ro-SHI-ma; (3) Rendering 'shima' as 'shima' with a hard ‘i’ or mispronouncing the 'ri' as in English ‘ri’ rather than a lighter, rolled ‘ri’. Correction: rehearse the four distinct syllables hi-ro-SHI-ma with a clear, reduced middle vowels, use a slightly tapped or rolled 'r' depending on accent, and ensure the ‘shi’ is a compact syllable with a soft 'sh' sound and a short 'i'.
US tends to emphasize the second or third syllable with a rhotic 'r' and a pronounceable 'haɪ' for hi; UK often has a non-rhotic 'r' and a slightly more central vowel in 'ri'; Australian is similar to UK but with a flatter 'i' and a slightly more lenient vowel length. IPA guides: US ˌhaɪroʊˈʃɪmə, UK ˌhɪərəˈʃɪmə, AU ˌhɪərəˈʃɪmə. In all, the 'shi' syllable is stressed in many speakers; the precise vowel qualities can shift across dialects, but the four-syllable rhythm remains constant.
It’s challenging because of four syllables with a light Japanese-influenced 'ri' and 'shi' combination, as well as stress patterns that can place emphasis on the wrong syllable. The ‘hi’ initial must avoid a heavy diphthong; the 'ro' often carries a subtle roll or flap, and the 'shi' should be crisp and unvoiced. Practicing the four-syllable stress pattern and listening for native rhythm reduces mispronunciations.
Because it is a culturally loaded place name with a distinct four-syllable structure that differs from many English loanwords. Speakers often misplace stress or assume a typical English pattern for place names. Its pronunciation reveals a blend of Japanese phonology (hi-ro-shi-ma) and English adaptation, requiring careful attention to the shi sound, syllable breaks, and stable four-beat rhythm.
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Hiroshima derives from Japanese elements hi (cosmos/arch of river?), but etymology is tied to the local geography and historical naming. The city’s name is written in kanji as 広島. The first kanji 広 (hiro) means wide or vast, and the second 広/島 (shima or sada? depending on reading) shifts; the 島 means island. The modern reading Hiroshima combines 広 (hiro) and 島 (shima). The name likely reflects a geographic description rather than a person’s name or deity. In historical records, Hiroshima appears in early Japanese documents with different readings, but by the Edo period it settled into the modern city name. The English transliteration “Hiroshima” follows the Hepburn system, with four syllables hi-ro-shi-ma. The city gained international attention after World War II, and the name is now globally recognized as a symbol of peace and reconstruction. The term has evolved from a geographic placename to a global toponym associated with historical events and cultural memory, while retaining its linguistic structure from Japanese pronunciation and romanization conventions.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Hiroshima" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Hiroshima"
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