4 syllables: Ma, ri, a, chi. Stress on a.
mah-ree-AH-chee
/ˌmɑɹiˈɑtʃi/
Mariachi is pronounced mah-ree-AH-chee (/ˌmɑɹiˈɑtʃi/). It has four syllables (Ma-ri-a-chi), with the stress on "a". Mariachi is a Spanish noun referring to a Mexican musical ensemble or its members, traditionally featuring guitars, trumpets, and violins, associated with festive, regional performances. The term also denotes the genre’s performers themselves. In usage, it often implies a culturally branded ensemble and can describe the music, attire, and performance style unique to Mexican folk traditions.
nounMariachi is a Spanish noun referring to a Mexican musical ensemble or its members, traditionally featuring guitars, trumpets, and violins, associated with festive, regional performances. The term also denotes the genre’s performers themselves. In usage, it often implies a culturally branded ensemble and can describe the music, attire, and performance style unique to Mexican folk traditions.
"You can hire a mariachi band for a wedding or festival."
"The mariachi performed lively rancheras under the evening sky."
"She studied mariachi tunes to expand her regional repertoire."
Pronounce as muh-ree-AH-chee, with the primary stress on the third syllable: ma-ri-A-chi. IPA (US): /məˈɹiːə.tʃi/ or /məˈɹɑːtʃi/ depending on speaker. In Spanish-influenced English, the stress lands on the 'a' in -a-chi, and the 'chi' is /tʃi/. Start with a light schwa on the first syllable, then a clear vowel in the second, and end with a crisp /tʃi/.
Common errors: (1) stressing the first syllable instead of the third, (2) mispronouncing the final -chi as /ski/ or /ʃi/, (3) softening the /r/ into a simple /l/ or /ɹ/ without Spanish-like flap. Corrections: emphasize the middle syllable as the peak stress; pronounce the final /tʃi/ as a clear /tʃ/ plus /i/ without delay; use a single tap /ɾ/ or simple trill on the r if you’re aligning with Spanish rhythm. Practice with minimal pairs and a slow vowel sequence to lock the stress pattern.
In US English, you’ll often hear /məˈɹiːə.tʃi/ with a longer middle vowel and strong final /tʃi/. UK speakers may use /məˈɹaɪətʃi/ or /məˈɹiːə.tʃi/ with less rhotic emphasis. Australian speakers tend toward /məˈɹɒː.ə.tʃi/ or /ˌmæɹiˈɑːtʃi/ with a flatter vowel in the middle and a clipped ending. In all cases, ensure the /tʃ/ remains sharp and avoid turning it into /ʃ/ or /k/..
The difficulty lies in the three-syllable rhythm with a non-English final syllable and the Spanish 'chi' /tʃi/ cluster. The middle syllable often carries the peak stress, and non-native speakers may misplace stress or slur the final /tʃi/. Also, native Spanish speakers may roll or tap the r slightly, which isn’t always mirrored in English. Practicing the exact sequence of vowels and the final affricate helps stabilize pronunciation.
Mariachi’s combination of a Spanish-styled initial 'Ma-,' a non-final peak on the third syllable, and the final English-adopted affricate /tʃi/ makes it distinct. The /ɹ/ can vary between a tapped or approximant, and the middle vowel often shifts from /i/ to /aɪ/ in anglicized renderings. Emphasis on the middle syllable with a crisp final /tʃi/ yields a natural, authentic sound.
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Mariachi originates from regional Mexican Spanish, with the earliest clear attestations in colonial-era and post-independence Mexico. The word’s precise root is debated, but it is long associated with musical bands in western Mexico, particularly in Jalisco. Some theories tie it to the French word ‘mariage’ through festive wedding celebrations, while others point to indigenous or rural terms describing groups of musicians. Over the 19th and 20th centuries, mariachi evolved from informal village ensembles to a formalized genre with standardized repertoires, attire, and performance etiquette. The term began to appear in print in the 19th century, and by the mid-20th century it had global recognition, symbolizing a recognizable silhouette of Mexican folk music. Today, ‘mariachi’ names both the performers and the music, with international festivals and recording traditions reinforcing its identity.
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Words that rhyme with "Mariachi"
-chi sounds
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