4 syllables: Po, dgo, ri, ca. Stress on dgo.
pohd-GAW-ree-tsuh
/poˈdɡɔɹitsə/
Podgorica is pronounced pohd-GAW-ree-tsuh (/poˈdɡɔɹitsə/). It has four syllables (Po-dgo-ri-ca), with the stress on "dgo". Podgorica is the capital city of Montenegro, central to the country’s politics, culture, and economy. It is a proper noun used for place reference and formal naming. The pronunciation features a three-syllable rhythm with clear syllabic boundaries, reflecting its Balkan origin and Serbian/Montenegrin phonology.
nounPodgorica is the capital city of Montenegro, central to the country’s politics, culture, and economy. It is a proper noun used for place reference and formal naming. The pronunciation features a three-syllable rhythm with clear syllabic boundaries, reflecting its Balkan origin and Serbian/Montenegrin phonology.
How to Pronounce Podgorica
"I visited Podgorica last summer and explored the old town."
"The conference will be held in Podgorica, Montenegro."
"Podgorica offers a mix of Ottoman and modern architectural influences."
Pronounce as pohd-GO-ree-tsa. Put primary stress on the second syllable: pohd-GOR-ih-tsa. IPA (US/UK) roughly /pɒdˈɡɔrɪtsə/. The initial ‘Pod’ rhymes with ‘odd’ and ‘pod’; the middle ‘go’ is a hard /ɡ/ followed by /ɔː/ or /ɔ/ depending on accent; end with /ɪtsə/. Practicing slowly: pohd- GOH- ri-tsa, then faster pohd-GOR-ih-tsa. Listen to native samples if possible, noting the subtle vowel length. Audio reference: check Forvo or pronunciation tutorials for Podgorica to hear the exact rhythm.”,
Common errors: (1) misplacing stress: say pohd-GOR-ih-tsa instead of pohd-GO-rcih-; (2) softening the /g/ into /dj/ or /d͡ʒ/; keep a hard /ɡ/; (3) mispronouncing the final -itsa as -itsa with a crisp /ts/ and schwa; ensure final /tsə/ rather than /t͡sa/ or /sa/. Corrections: practice with minimal pairs focusing on the middle vowel /ɔ/ and final /tsə/. Use slow, deliberate articulation: pohd-GO- ri-tsa; then speed up. Listening to native samples and repeating exactly the syllable sequence reduces errors over time.
US tends to a flatter /ɒ/ in the first syllable and a clear /ɔr/ in the middle; UK may sound closer to /ɒdˈɡɔːrɪtsə/ with a longer /ɔː/ in the middle. Australian typically exhibits a more centralized /ɒ/ or /ɔː/ and slightly less rounded vowel in /ɔr/ and a non-rhotic tendency where the r is less pronounced in some contexts. Regardless, the final /tsə/ remains clear. IPA references: US /pɒdˈɡɔrɪtsə/, UK /pɒdˈɡɔːrɪtsə/, AU /pɒdˈɡɔːrɪtsə/.
Two main challenges: the consonant cluster dg and the sequence -gor- with a hard /g/ immediately before a vowel, and the final -itsa where the /t/ and /s/ combine quickly. The middle vowel /ɔ/ is often reduced or mispronounced, and the second syllable carries primary stress in many English renderings. Focus on maintaining a clean /ɡ/ and a distinct /ɔ/ before /r/ and then crisp /ɪtsə/; practice with slow articulation, then speed. IPA cues: /pɒdˈɡɔrɪtsə/.
Podgorica has a three-syllable cadence that tends to keep the middle vowel clear rather than reduced. The sequence /ɡɔr/ can feel abrupt to non-native ears, so you should ensure a brief, strong /ɔ/ before the rhotic /r/ or its nearest equivalent depending on accent. While Montenegrin displays r-colored vowels subtly, English renders a crisp /ɡɔr/ followed by /ɪtsə/. Practice with a slow-to-normal pace, then insert brief pauses between syllables to maintain articulation.
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Podgorica derives from the South Slavic toponymic tradition. The town’s name evolved from historical names associated with the region of Old Montenegro and the Vat allotment of the Duklja region. The suffix -ica is a common diminutive/locational ending in South Slavic languages, often indicating a place. The origin language is Montenegrin/Serbian with influences from Venetian and Ottoman periods, reflecting layered regional history. The first known uses appear in medieval Latin and South Slavic chronicles describing settlements and fortifications around the Zeta river basin. The modern standardized form Podgorica emerged in the early 20th century as the city’s official name following administrative changes and the integration of smaller settlements into a single capital entity. The name’s usage extended through Yugoslav era and post-independence Montenegro, retaining phonetic traits like the unstressed vowels and soft consonant cluster patterns characteristic of the region. Overall, Podgorica embodies a fusion of historic Slavic linguistics with Balkan toponymy, preserved in contemporary usage as the capital city’s identity.”,
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Words that rhyme with "Podgorica"
-ica sounds
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