2 syllables: Mau, i. Stress on Mau.
MOW-ee
/ˈmaʊi/
Maui is pronounced MOW-ee (/ˈmaʊi/). It has two syllables (Mau-i), with the stress on "Mau". Maui is a proper noun referring to the second-largest Hawaiian island, known for its volcanic landscapes, beaches, and tourism. In everyday speech it is common to refer to Maui as a place name, sometimes used in travel discourse or Hawaiian cultural contexts. Its pronunciation centers on a two-syllable structure with a prominent first-syllable stress.
nounMaui is a proper noun referring to the second-largest Hawaiian island, known for its volcanic landscapes, beaches, and tourism. In everyday speech it is common to refer to Maui as a place name, sometimes used in travel discourse or Hawaiian cultural contexts. Its pronunciation centers on a two-syllable structure with a prominent first-syllable stress.
How to Pronounce Maui
"We spent a week hiking around Maui and enjoying the waterfalls."
"Maui is famous for the Road to Hana and Haleakalā crater."
"Airlines to Maui often offer direct flights from major hubs."
Phone it as two syllables with stress on the first: /ˈmaʊ.i/ in IPA. The first vowel is the diphthong /aʊ/ like in 'house,' and the second is a short /i/ as in 'see' but shorter. Move smoothly from /aʊ/ to /i/, keeping the /m/ and /w/ combination clear. Audio references: you can hear it in reputable dictionaries and pronunciation videos.
Common errors: (1) splitting the /aʊ/ too narrowly, turning the second syllable into a separate vowel; (2) making the second vowel too strong like /iː/ instead of a brief /i/; (3) stressing the second syllable inadvertently. Correction: keep /ˈmaʊ.i/ with a crisp glide from /aʊ/ to /i/, and stress the first syllable while keeping the final vowel short and unstressed.
In US/UK/AU, the core is /ˈmaʊi/ with primary stress on the first syllable. Differences are subtle: US may have a slightly longer /aʊ/ and a lighter touch on the final /i/. UK and AU tend toward similar timing, but Australians may produce a marginally more centralized vowel in quick speech. Across all three, the key is maintaining the diphthong /aʊ/ followed by a short /i/.
The difficulty lies in producing the /aʊ/ diphthong cleanly while transitioning into the brief /i/; the two-syllable structure also requires accurate syllable timing so the /i/ isn’t devoiced or merged. Practicing the glide from /aʊ/ to /i/ and keeping the first syllable stressed helps overcome these challenges.
Not typically in standard English usage, but some non-native speakers may drop the final vowel or place secondary stress on the second syllable. To prevent that, keep the final /i/ brief and unstressed and deliver primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈmaʊ.i/. Visualize saying MAU as in 'mouth' and then add a quick, soft 'ee'.
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- US: preserve the full /aʊ/ as in 'now' and keep final /i/ short; mouth opening on /aʊ/ is moderate, lips spread slightly toward /i/. - UK: similar to US, but you may notice a slightly tighter jaw and a less open /a/ gesture; keep the diphthong intact. - AU: often a more relaxed vowel quality; focus on a natural glide into /i/ and avoid over-articulation; keep rhythm tight.
Maui derives from the Hawaiian language, named after the demigod Maui in Polynesian mythology, who is associated with fishing up islands and shaping the landscape. The name has deep roots in oral tradition and navigation, reflecting the central place of Maui in Hawaiian culture as both a geographic region and a symbolic figure in legends. In English usage, Maui is widely adopted as a proper noun to designate the Hawaiian island, maintaining a two-syllable stress pattern. First known written references in Western texts emerge in the late 18th and 19th centuries alongside broader Pacific exploration and colonization. Over time, pronunciation in English hardened to /ˈmaʊi/ in many dialects, though Hawaiian pronunciation would render the vowel sounds more pure in the context of native speakers. The name’s assimilation into global travel language solidified its status as a widely recognized toponym with consistent two-beat rhythm and simple vowel sequence, avoiding a coda consonant that would complicate pronunciation for non-native speakers. The evolution of Maui in English has been shaped by colonial contact, tourism, and the global Hawaiian revival movement, which emphasizes authentic Hawaiian pronunciation in media and education. Today, the name carries both geographic specificity and cultural resonance, inviting respectful pronunciation by speakers of diverse linguistic backgrounds.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Maui" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Maui" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Maui"
-azy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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