2 syllables: Tem, pe. Stress on Tem.
TEM-pee
/ˈtɛmpi/
Tempe is pronounced TEM-pee (/ˈtɛmpi/). It has two syllables (Tem-pe), with the stress on "Tem". Tempe is a proper noun used primarily as a place name (notably a city in Arizona) and rarely as a surname or entity name. It also appears in classical literature and branding, but in modern usage it most often refers to the Arizona city. The term carries no inherent meaning beyond its geographical identity and is typically capitalized in English.
nounTempe is a proper noun used primarily as a place name (notably a city in Arizona) and rarely as a surname or entity name. It also appears in classical literature and branding, but in modern usage it most often refers to the Arizona city. The term carries no inherent meaning beyond its geographical identity and is typically capitalized in English.
How to Pronounce Tempe
"We visited Tempe for a conference and stayed near the lake."
"Tempe, Arizona, is known for its scenic riverwalk and lively campus culture."
"He mentioned Tempe in his travel article as a budget-friendly city."
Tempe is pronounced as two syllables, with the stress on the first: /ˈtɛm.pi/. The first syllable rhymes with 'rem' and 'gem', starting with a soft 't' and short 'e' sound; the second syllable is a light 'pee' (/pi/). Keep the mouth slightly open for /ɛ/ and close for /i/. Quick tip: say 'tem' (rhymes with 'them') then quickly add 'pee' without extra emphasis at the boundary.
Common errors include pronouncing it as a single-syllable word like 'tem' and adding an unclear ending, or substituting the vowel in the first syllable with /eɪ/ as in 'tem-pay'. Another frequent mistake is stressing the second syllable. Correction: keep /ˈtɛm/ for the first syllable with a short /e/ as in 'bet', then clearly pronounce the second syllable as /pi/ with a crisp, light /p/ and pure /i/.
Across major accents, Tempe retains /ˈtɛm.pi/ but vowel quality shifts slightly: US tends toward a clear /ɛ/ in the first vowel and a taut /i/ in the second; UK often has a slightly closer /e/ in relaxed speech and less rhoticity not affecting Tempe itself; AU mirrors US vowel values but may be flatter with less vowel reduction. In all cases, the stress remains on the first syllable, with the second syllable clearly realized as /pi/.
The difficulty lies in producing a crisp, distinct /ɛm/ followed by a clean /pi/ without running the syllables together. Non-native speakers may merge /t/ with the following consonant or substitute /æ/ or /eɪ/ for /ɛ/. Attention to the alveolar stop /t/ and the high front vowel /i/ after, plus maintaining short, clipped syllable endings, makes Tempe easier to articulate accurately.
Tempe uses a stressed first syllable with a lax mid-front vowel /ɛ/ and a high front vowel /i/ in the second syllable. Some learners may voice the /t/ too strongly, making it sound like 't-em-pee' with an exaggerated onset. Focus on a light, quick /t/ release and a crisp /p/ in /pi/; keep the final /i/ tight and unrounded to avoid an 'ee' sound stretched.
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Tempe derives from historical references to the Tempe Valley in central Greece (Tempe), a region famed in classical literature for its scenic gorge along the Athenian road. The modern U.S. city Tempe, Arizona, adopted the name in the 19th century, likely as a nod to Greek antiquity or as an aspirational label for a pleasant, temperate locale. The Greek Tempe (Τέμπη) originates from ancient Thessalian or Boeotian toponyms and is sometimes associated with the river-like stream or a place that offers a temperate, mild climate perceived by early settlers. First used in English to refer to the Arizona locale in the late 19th or early 20th century, the name gained prominence through the expansion of the railways and the presence of Tempe Town Lake and the Arizona State University campus, embedding the term in travel, education, and commerce lexicons.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Tempe" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Tempe"
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