2 syllables: jo, nas. Stress on jo.
JOH-nuhs
/ˈdʒoʊnəs/
jonas is pronounced JOH-nuhs (/ˈdʒoʊnəs/). It has two syllables (jo-nas), with the stress on "jo". Jonas is a proper noun typically used as a given name. It can also refer to a surname in some cultures. In most contexts, it denotes a male or gender-neutral personal name and appears in religious, literary, and contemporary settings.
Jonas is a proper noun typically used as a given name. It can also refer to a surname in some cultures. In most contexts, it denotes a male or gender-neutral personal name and appears in religious, literary, and contemporary settings.
"Jonas introduced his new colleague at the meeting."
"The name Jonas appears in several European languages with slight pronunciation variations."
"In the novel, Jonas serves as the loyal friend who helps unravel the mystery."
In US English, pronounce as JOH-nuhs or JAH-nahs depending on regional accent; the first syllable carries primary stress. IPA: US ˈdʒoʊ.nəs (American English) or ˈdʒəʊ.nəs (British/AU variants). Position your tongue high-mid for the initial dʒ sound, then relax into a schwa or a short 'uh' in the second syllable. For names, you may hear 'JOH-nas' with a clearer vowel in the first syllable in some speakers. Listen for a light, unstressed second syllable: nəs.
Common errors: 1) Pronouncing the initial consonant as a plain 'j' without the affricate release, making it sound like 'yoh-nahs' instead of 'JOH-nəs'; 2) Over-emphasizing the second syllable, giving 'jo-NAS' or 'JOH-nAS' instead of a light 'nəs'; 3) Confusing with 'Jonah' by elongating the final vowel. Correction: start with a clear affricate dʒ, stay on the first syllable, and reduce the final vowel to a quick schwa or short 'uh' sound (nəs).
US: strong dʒ onset, first syllable stressed, second syllable often schwa or ə, 'nəs' is light; UK/AU: similar structure, but vowel quality in the first syllable can be closer to /əʊ/ or /oʊ/ depending on speaker, and non-rhoticity may affect the r-coloring in adjacent speech; rhotic vs non-rhotic accents matters chiefly in longer phrases; overall, the vowel in the first syllable remains bold while the second syllable stays unstressed.
Because it blends a dense initial dʒ onset with a weak final syllable that reduces to nəs. The challenge is maintaining the crisp affricate onset and the light final vowel across dialects—some listeners expect /ˈdʒoʊnəs/ while others use /ˈdʒənəs/. Practice keeping the first syllable strong and the second syllable short and unstressed; pay attention to the quick, relaxed 'nəs' rather than a full 'nas'.
No silent letters here. The word is two phonemic syllables with a fully pronounced initial affricate dʒ and a light, unstressed second syllable. Ensure the 'j' sound is fully released and the second vowel is short and relaxed (nəs).
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Jonas is a given name with roots in the Hebrew name Yonah, meaning 'dove.' The form Jonas entered the broader European onomastics through Latinized and Greek-transliterated versions of the biblical name Jonah. In many languages, Jonas gained popularity through biblical adoption and later through saints and theologians, evolving pronunciation to fit local phonology. The name appears in Latin as Ionas or Ionas, with Slavic and Germanic variants where the vowel sounds shift to align with native vowel inventories. In modern usage, Jonas is a common given name in Scandinavia, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and English-speaking countries. It retains a straightforward two-syllable rhythm in many languages, but stress and vowel quality can vary: in English-speaking contexts it often rhymes with 'bonus' or 'honest' depending on speaker and dialect, while in German or Scandinavian contexts, it aligns with the local vowel length and rhotic patterns. The earliest recorded forms appear in Latin biblical translations and medieval Christian texts, with first known usages dating to the early centuries CE in Judaic and Christian traditions. Over time, as personal naming conventions spread through print and media, Jonas established itself as a distinct modern given name, frequently associated with traits of leadership or loyalty in literary and popular culture.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "jonas" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "jonas" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "jonas"
-nas sounds
-a's sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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