4 syllables: Ho, no, lu, lu. Stress on lu.
hah-nuh-LOO-loo
/ˌhɑnəˈlulu/
Honolulu is pronounced hah-nuh-LOO-loo (/ˌhɑnəˈlulu/). It has four syllables (Ho-no-lu-lu), with the stress on "lu". Honolulu is a proper noun referring to the capital city of Hawaii. It designates a geographic location and cultural hub, known for its tropical climate, Pearl Harbor history, and distinctive Hawaiian-Chinese-Caucasian fusion in cuisine and daily life. The term evokes a bustling port city vibe and is commonly used in travel, geography, and regional discussions.
nounHonolulu is a proper noun referring to the capital city of Hawaii. It designates a geographic location and cultural hub, known for its tropical climate, Pearl Harbor history, and distinctive Hawaiian-Chinese-Caucasian fusion in cuisine and daily life. The term evokes a bustling port city vibe and is commonly used in travel, geography, and regional discussions.
- Confusing the fourth syllable as unstressed or swallowing it; ensure the final -luː is not reduced. - Slurring the second syllable into the first; keep distinct /noʊ/ before the final -lu- sounds. - Misplacing the stress on the fourth syllable or softening the /ˈluː/ into /lu/; maintain the strong third-syllable stress. - For non-native speakers, over-accenting the initial /h/ or treating Honolulu as a single diphthong; instead, articulate four clear syllables with a stable /oʊ/ and /uː/ sequence.
How to Pronounce Honolulu
"We spent a week in Honolulu exploring Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head."
"Honolulu’s climate makes spring the perfect time to visit."
"The festival in Honolulu showcased traditional hula and ukulele performances."
Pronunciation is ho-no-LU-lu with primary stress on the third syllable: /ˌhoʊnoʊˈluːluː/ in US English. Break it into four syllables: ho (as in 'go'), no (rhymes with 'go'), LU (rhymes with 'zoo'), and lu (also ‘zoo’-like). The final two syllables use a long /uː/ vowel; ensure a clear, repeated -lu- rather than a dull ending.口 Audio reference: you’ll hear the pattern clearly in American travel channels and dictionary audio (Cambridge/Oxford).
Common errors include flattening the second syllable so it sounds like ho-NO-lu-lu or reducing the final -lu to a short vowel. Some speakers misplace the primary stress on the second or fourth syllable, yielding ho-NO-lu-LU. To correct: keep the strong stress on the third syllable and maintain the /uː/ vowel in both -lu segments. Practice by saying: ho-no-LU-lu, with a crisp, prolonged final -lu-.
In US English, primary stress on the third syllable with /ˌhoʊnoʊˈluːluː/. UK and AUS accents preserve the same syllable structure but may show slightly different vowel qualities: UK might have a less diphthongal /oʊ/ and a more centralized /ˈluːljuː/ tint in some speakers; Australian accents often have a flatter /oː/ in the first two syllables and a bright /uː/ in final syllables. Overall rhythm remains four syllables with the same stress pattern, but vowel quality shifts subtly by region.
It combines repeated high back vowels and a closed, two-Lu sequence that trips up non-native speakers. The challenge lies in maintaining the long /uː/ on two successive -lu- syllables and hitting the stress on the third syllable without compressing the word. Also, the initial /ho/ and /no/ require clean, rounded lips and a smooth /oʊ/ glide. Practicing with equal syllable weight and explicit tapping of the /ˌhoʊnoʊ/ portion helps stabilize accuracy.
The sequence -no-LU-lu presents a rhythm where the second and third syllables carry the core vowel height and lip rounding that define American /oʊ/ and /uː/ sequences. Learners should focus on the divergence between /ˌhoʊ/ and /noʊ/ and then the strong /ˈluː/ following. Visualize the mouth as closing into a rounded /o/ in the first two syllables, then transitioning to a bright long /uː/ for the final two. IPA cues and mouth shape awareness are essential for consistency.
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- US: Rhotic, all four syllables pronounced distinctly; ensure /hoʊ/ and /noʊ/ have strong glide components, ending with a strong /luːluː/. - UK: Stress pattern remains; vowels may drift toward slightly less diphthongal /oʊ/ and /oʊ/; keep final /luː/ crisp, not reduced. - AU: Often flatter vowels, slight diphthong narrowing; keep stress on the third syllable, and maintain the final /luːl/ clarity. IPA references: US /ˌhoʊnoʊˈluːluː/, UK /ˌhəʊnəˈluːluː/, AU /ˌhəˈnɔːluːluː/.
Honolulu derives from the Hawaiian language, reportedly from hoʻokōlua or similar constructions reflecting a group shelter or harbor-related meaning, though exact early forms vary in historical records. The name is often translated as “sheltered harbour” or “place of shelter.” In early records, Western missionaries and sailors rendered the word as Honolulu or Honolulú in various spellings before the modern standardized Honolulu. As Oʻahu’s capital grew in importance during the 19th and 20th centuries, the city’s name became established in English-language sources, maps, and documents. The term’s meaning remains intrinsically tied to the island’s geography—its natural harbor and role as a central hub—while in popular usage it now connotes the broader identity of Hawaii’s greatest urban center. The evolution of the word tracks colonization-era transliterations and the eventual standardization in official and educational contexts. First known printed uses in English date from the 19th century, often in travel narratives and government records, gradually stabilizing into the current spelling Honolulu. Over time, as Hawaii’s political status shifted, Honolulu moved from a regional town to a world-recognized city, with the name carrying both local significance and international recognition.
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Words that rhyme with "Honolulu"
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