3 syllables: ka, ma, la. Stress on ka.
KAM-uh-luh
/ˈkæ.mə.lə/
kamala is pronounced KAM-uh-luh (/ˈkæ.mə.lə/). It has three syllables (ka-ma-la), with the stress on "ka". Kamala is a feminine given name of Sanskrit origin, commonly used in South Asia and by communities worldwide. In certain contexts it also refers to Kamala Harris, the U.S. vice president. As a word, it is relatively simple in pronunciation, with two light syllables and a clear stress pattern on the first syllable in many languages that borrow it.
nounKamala is a feminine given name of Sanskrit origin, commonly used in South Asia and by communities worldwide. In certain contexts it also refers to Kamala Harris, the U.S. vice president. As a word, it is relatively simple in pronunciation, with two light syllables and a clear stress pattern on the first syllable in many languages that borrow it.
"Kamala spoke softly as she introduced her research."
"The festival highlighted Kamala’s contributions to local art."
"Many students studied Kamala’s work on ecology."
Pronounce Kamala as /ˈkɑː.mə.lə/ in broad English rendering, with primary stress on the first syllable. In US/UK contexts you’ll hear variations around /ˈkæ.mə.lə/ or /ˈkɑː.mə.lə/. Start with a strong, open 'ka' then a light 'ma' and a soft 'la'. Think: KA-ma-la, with equal weight on all but the first being the strongest. For audio reference, search Kalama Kamala pronunciation examples or Kamala Harris pronunciation to hear common English renderings.
Common errors include reducing the final syllable to a muted ‘uh’ or 'lah' too strongly, and blending the first and second syllables into /ˈkæm.ələ/ without clear 'ma' separation. Another frequent slip is misplacing the primary stress on the second syllable. Ensure the first syllable carries the main emphasis: KA-ma-la, with a crisp /m/ between each vowel. Practice by isolating each syllable and then saying the three together in a steady tempo.
In US English you’ll often hear /ˈkæ.mə.lə/ or /ˈkɑː.mə.lə/ with mild rhoticity and a neutral final vowel. UK English tends toward /ˈkæ.mə.lə/ or /ˈkɑː.mə.lə/, sometimes with a slightly crisper /kæ/ and non-rhotic tendencies on some speakers. Australian English commonly uses /ˈkæ.mə.lə/ with a flatter intonation and a close to schwa in the middle syllable. Across all, the final -la remains unstressed and short. Listen for the first syllable stress, then practice the mid and final vowels quickly but distinctly.
The challenge lies in maintaining even three-syllable rhythm with two light vowels and a clear initial consonant cluster. Some speakers flatten the first vowel into a lax /æ/ or /ə/, diluting the strength of the first syllable; others run the syllables together, blurring the middle /mə/. Paying attention to multipart articulation—clear /k/ onset, distinct /m/, then a concise final /lə/—helps maintain accurate cadence across accents. IPA references help identify exact vowel quality across dialects.
Stress and vowel clarity in the middle syllable are pivotal. The sequence /kæ/ or /kɑː/ followed by /mə/ requires a precise, short mid-vowel in the second syllable, making sure the /m/ is not swallowed by adjacent vowels. The name’s cultural pronunciation can also influence stress placement; in some communities, the first syllable still dominates, while others may assign closer, even weight. Pay attention to listener preference when introducing Kamala in formal contexts.
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US: rhotic, flatter /r/; UK: non-rhotic in some speakers, crisper final syllable; AU: closer to /ə/ in the second syllable with a pervasive flat intonation. Vowel contrasts: US often uses /æ/ or /ɑː/ in the first syllable; UK/AU may lean toward /æ/ with a shorter, clipped /ə/ in the middle; make sure the final /ə/ is unstressed and quick. Reference IPA for exact phoneme shapes, practice with minimal pairs to tune quality.
Kamala comes from Sanskrit कमला (Kamalā), formed from kamala- meaning 'lotus' or 'pale red' and used as a feminine given name in Indian culture and Hindu mythology. The root kamal is related to the lotus flower, often symbolizing purity and spiritual awakening. The word traveled through languages via trade, religion, and colonial history, appearing in various Indian languages with slight phonetic adjustments. In some contexts, Kamala has become a culturally loaded proper noun due to notable individuals bearing the name, such as Kamala Devi Harris. First known usage traces to ancient Sanskrit texts and later Bhāṣa literature, spreading into regional languages and, in contemporary times, into global media and diasporic communities. In modern usage, Kamala remains primarily a personal name, though its lotus-related meaning can influence cultural associations and congruence with Bollywood and South Asian literary traditions. The pronunciation has been adapted in English-speaking environments, often preserving the two-syllable rhythm and a clear /m/ closure following the initial /k/ and /æ/ or /ə/ vowels depending on dialect and speaker background. Historically, the name’s meaning as ‘lotus’ and its religious symbolism have kept it culturally resonant across generations, even as it has entered broader popular culture.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "kamala" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "kamala" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "kamala"
-ala sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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