3 syllables: Man, hat, tan. Stress on hat.
man-HAT-uhn
/mæˈnhætən/
Manhattan is pronounced man-HAT-uhn (/mæˈnhætən/). It has three syllables (Man-hat-tan), with the stress on "hat". Manhattan is a proper noun referring to a borough of New York City, commonly used to denote the area itself or the style associated with it. It is pronounced with a three-syllable rhythm and notable stress on the second syllable, yielding a distinctive.
nounManhattan is a proper noun referring to a borough of New York City, commonly used to denote the area itself or the style associated with it. It is pronounced with a three-syllable rhythm and notable stress on the second syllable, yielding a distinctive
- You may default to MAN-hat-tan by stressing the first syllable and reducing the middle vowel; fix by practicing mænˈhætn with clear second-syllable vowel and a brief, unstressed final /ən/. - Another mistake is blending /æ/ to /eɪ/ in the second syllable; rehearse the pure /æ/ in /hætn/ and emphasize the t sound to avoid a slur. - Some speakers drag the final syllable; train the last /ən/ as a light, quick schwa rather than a heavy vowel. Remember: the key is distinct second syllable and a short, soft ending.
"I spent the weekend exploring Manhattan, from its museums to its food markets."
"Her accent softened slightly as she described growing up in Manhattan."
"The Manhattan skyline is iconic, especially at sunset."
Pronounce as mən-HA-tən in many US accents or mæn-ˈhæt-ən in UK, with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA US: /mænˈhætn/; UK: /ˈmænˌhæt.ən/ or /mænˈhætən/. Start with /m/ then /æ/ as in cat, stress on the second syllable /ˈhæt/ or /ˈhæt/, and finish with /ən/ like 'un'. If listening to audio, you’ll hear a clear second-syllable emphasis and a brief, unstressed final syllable. Audio reference: try listening to native speakers pronouncing Manhattan in news clips or pronunciation channels.
Common errors include placing primary stress on the first syllable (MAN-ha-tan) and compressing the word into two syllables (MAN-hat-n). Another error is mispronouncing the middle vowel as a pure /æ/ without proper vowel height, producing /ˈmænˌhætən/ with a flatter vowel. Corrective tips: keep a clear “hat” vowel in the second syllable and pronounce the final unstressed /ən/ quickly. Practice with minimal pair: Manhattan vs Manhatten (common incorrect variant) to train correct stress and vowel quality.
In US speech you’ll typically hear /mænˈhætn/ with strong rhoticity and a crisp /æ/ in the second syllable. UK English often renders it as /ˈmænˌhæt.nən/ with a more clipped final schwa and slightly different rhythm, sometimes reducing the final syllable. Australian speakers may blend the final syllable, producing /mænˈhætn/ with a softer /ə/ in the ending. The key differences are vowel quality in the second syllable and the treatment of the final unstressed syllable, where non-US accents may reduce more aggressively.
Because the word contains a multi-syllabic rhythm with a stressed second syllable and two front vowels in close proximity, the tongue must move quickly from /æ/ to /hæ/ to /t/ while maintaining a light, unstressed final /ən/. The challenge is not just the sounds, but the timing: ensure the /æ/ in the second syllable is crisp; avoid turning it into /eɪ/ or diluting the /t/ into a stop-glide. Listening to native samples and practicing with precise IPA helps reinforce muscular memory.
A unique aspect of Manhattan pronunciation is the subtle preference for a strong, distinct /æ/ in the second syllable, which differentiates it from some similar place-name patterns in English. You’ll also notice a quick, light final /ən/ rather than a fully enunciated -ton ending in casual speech. Paying attention to the “hat” vowel quality and the subdued ending will help you avoid common American mispronunciations and align with native rhythm.
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US: strong /æ/ in second syllable, rhotic /r/ not involved; emphasize /æ/ then /t/; UK: more clipped, possible vowel height differences, slight /ən/ at end; AU: similar to US but with slightly more centralized final vowel. IPA references: US /mænˈhætn/, UK /ˈmænˌhætən/ or /mænˈhætən/, AU /mænˈhætn/. Focus on keeping the /æ/ in the stressed syllable crisp and finishing with a short /ən/.
Manhattan originates from the Lenape language, spoken by the indigenous people of the Delaware River area. The word likely derives from a compound meaning something like “island of many hills,” though exact interpretations vary. Dutch settlers adopted the name, and it later entered English usage as the name of the island and then the borough within New York City. Early maps from the 17th century record ‘Manhattes’ and ‘Mannahata’ spellings, reflecting phonetic approximations by Dutch and English speakers. Over time, the term stabilized to refer to the southern tip of the island and, in modern usage, the borough and its social, cultural, and economic identity. The semantic shift tracks urban expansion and the development of a global metropolis, with Manhattan becoming synonymous with high finance, arts, and iconic architecture. First known uses appear in colonial-era documents and maps, with later popularization through literature, media, and the city’s own self-identification as a cosmopolitan center.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Manhattan" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Manhattan" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Manhattan" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Manhattan"
-man sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
