4 syllables: Mo, zam, bi, cans. Stress on bi.
moh-zam-BEE-kuhnz
/ˌmoʊzæˈmbikənz/
Mozambicans is pronounced moh-zam-BEE-kuhnz (/ˌmoʊzæˈmbikənz/). It has four syllables (Mo-zam-bi-cans), with the stress on "bi". Mozambicans are people from Mozambique, a country in southeastern Africa. The term can refer to the nationality or culture of Mozambique’s inhabitants. As a plural noun, it commonly appears in contexts discussing communities, demographics, or social topics related to Mozambique.
nounMozambicans are people from Mozambique, a country in southeastern Africa. The term can refer to the nationality or culture of Mozambique’s inhabitants. As a plural noun, it commonly appears in contexts discussing communities, demographics, or social topics related to Mozambique.
- You will hear: misplacing stress on the first syllable MO-; Fix: practice mo-ZAM-bi-cans with the primary stress on ZAM-BI segment. - You might slur /zæm/ into /æm/; Fix: hold a crisp /z/ release then a short /æ/. - Final /kənz/ can become /kən/ or /kənz/ with devoicing; Fix: clearly pronounce /k/ and /z/ in sequence, keeping /ənz/ intact. - Record yourself and compare: listen for the sudden /b/ onset before /i/; ensure smooth transition from /m/ to /b/.
How to Pronounce Mozambicans
"The Mozambicans celebrated their national day with music and dance."
"Researchers studied Mozambicans' responses to new educational programs."
"Mozambicans living abroad often maintain strong ties to their homeland."
Pronounce as /ˌmoʊzæmˈbɪkənz/ (US) or /ˌməˈzæmbɪkənz/ (UK/AU). Break into mo-ZAM-bi-cans, with primary stress on the second syllable (ZAM). Start with /moʊ/ or /mə/ (diphthong), then /zæm/ (short a as in cat), then /ˈbɪ/ (short i), and end with /kənz/.” ,
Common errors: misplacing stress (not stressing the ZAM syllable), mispronouncing the /z/ as /s/ or softening /b/ into /v/. Another mistake is sliding the /ɪ/ into a schwa before /kənz/. Correction tips: emphasize the /zæm/ syllable, keep /b/ as a clear bilabial stop, and end with /kənz/ with a voiced-voiceless blend distinct. Practice the sequence mo-zam-BI-kanz, ensuring you land the /b/ and /k/ solidly.
US: /ˌmoʊzæmˈbɪkənz/ with a rhotic /r/ absent; UK/AU: /ˌməˈzæmbɪkənz/ or /ˌmoˈzæmbɪkənz/, non-rhotic R; vowel quality: US /oʊ/ vs UK/AU /əʊ/ in the first syllable; final /z/ is voiced. Ensure the second syllable is clearly /zæm/ and the stress on /ˈbɪ/.
Key challenges: consonant cluster transition from /z/ to /æ/ can create a slurred sound; the stress pattern places emphasis on the /bɪ/ syllable, requiring precise timing to avoid rushing /bɪ/ into /kənz/. Also, the /zæm/ syllable requires a crisp /z/ release followed by a short /æ/ vowel, which can be tricky for non-native speakers.
A unique question might be: Do you stress the 'zam' or the 'bī' syllable? Answer: Primary stress falls on the 'bĭ' syllable in most accents (UK/US/AU), producing mo-ZAM-bi-cans with strong emphasis on /ˈbɪ/; ensure the preceding /zæm/ is quick but crisp, and the final /kənz/ lands cleanly.
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- US: rhotic influence on vowel length; UK/AU: non-rhotic, weaker /r/; focus on last syllable timing and non-rhotic /r/ absence; use IPA /ˈbɪkənz/ endings; emphasize the /z/ in /zæm/ to prevent /sæm/ confusion. - Vowel shifts: /oʊ/ vs /əʊ/ in the first vowel; keep lip rounding consistent for /oʊ/ vs /əʊ/ ånd practice with minimal pairs to hear the difference. - Stress: practice with deliberate stress on /ˈbɪ/; slower practice to ensure accurate rhythm.
Mozambican derives from Mozambique, the country’s name, with the -an suffix indicating a person from a place (similar to American, Brazilian, Kenyan). Mozambique itself traces to the Island of Mozambique, a historic trading port, and to the Arabic name Mizambiq, tied to the Zambezi region and the peoples encountered by traders. The term Mozambican first appears in English texts in the 20th century as Mozambique’s national identity formed under colonial and post-independence contexts. Over time, Mozambican as an adjective and noun described citizens of Mozambique, their language (Portuguese is official), culture, and nationality. The word embeds colonial-era naming conventions, then shifts to inclusive, self-defined national identity after 1975 independence, with usage expanding in media, academic discourse, and diaspora communities. In modern usage, Mozambican emphasizes nationality and cultural belonging rather than ethnicity, aligning with Mozambique’s diverse linguistic landscape and multiethnic society. The first known printed use in English likely dates from travel writing or international reports on Mozambique’s post-colonial society, with the adjective-noun form solidifying in common usage by late 20th century.
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Words that rhyme with "Mozambicans"
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