2 syllables: Tu, nis. Stress on Tu.
TOO-nis
/ˈtunɪs/
Tunis is pronounced TOO-nis (/ˈtunɪs/). It has two syllables (Tu-nis), with the stress on "Tu". Tunis is a proper noun referring to the capital city of Tunisia as well as a regional name in some contexts. In English, the pronunciation typically emphasizes the first syllable and yields a two-syllable name (TU-nis) used as a geographic and cultural reference in conversation and writing. The term’s pronunciation can vary slightly with speaker background and language influence.
nounTunis is a proper noun referring to the capital city of Tunisia as well as a regional name in some contexts. In English, the pronunciation typically emphasizes the first syllable and yields a two-syllable name (TU-nis) used as a geographic and cultural reference in conversation and writing. The term’s pronunciation can vary slightly with speaker background and language influence.
"We flew into Tunis for a work conference."
"The Tunisian capital, Tunis, is known for its medina and modern neighborhoods."
"She studied Tunisian history while visiting Tunis."
Pronounce it as tu-NIS with the stress on the first syllable. In US English, IPA /tuˈnɪs/; in UK English, often /ˈtjʊnɪs/ or /ˈtuːnɪs/ depending on speaker. Start with a light 't' glide, then a short 'u' as in 'tool' for US, ending with a crisp /nɪs/ or /nɪs/. In Australian English, /ˈtjuːnɪs/ is common. Audio references: listen to Forvo entry for Tunis; YouGlish search for Tunis in news videos to hear real usage.
Common errors include over-aspirating the initial T or over-emphasizing a long 'u' in the first syllable, and merging the final /s/ with a preceding /ɪ/ if not careful. Correction tips: keep the first syllable as a short, clipped 'tu' (/tju/ or /tu/), avoid a heavy vowel; ensure the second syllable begins with /n/ and ends with the unvoiced /s/. Practice with minimal pairs like ‘tune’ vs ‘Tunis’ to train the shift from /tuː/ to /tu/ and separate /n/ and /s/ clearly.
US: /tuˈnɪs/ with a short, unstressed second syllable; UK: may be /ˈtjuːnɪs/ or /ˈtuːnɪs/, with a longer first vowel and sometimes a slight rhotic variation; AU: often /ˈtjuːnɪs/ or /ˈtuːnɪs/, with non-rhotic tendencies but clear /s/. Differences include vowel quality (short /ɪ/ vs. /iː/), and whether the onset is /t/ with a following /j/ glide in UK/AU. IPA references: US /tuˈnɪs/, UK /ˈtjʊnɪs/ or /ˈtuːnɪs/, AU /ˈtjuːnɪs/.
The challenge is balancing the two-syllable rhythm with a short, clipped first syllable and a crisp, clear final /s/. Non-native speakers often insert extra vowels or misplace the stress, leading to /ˈtuːnɪs/ or /təˈnɪs/. Focus on a short, unstressed first vowel and a clean /nɪs/ ending; avoid turning the first vowel into a long /uː/ or adding a trailing vowel after the final /s/.
No. Tunis is pronounced with two syllables: TU-nis, with an audible initial /t/ and final /s/. The second syllable contains a clear /n/ followed by /ɪ/ or /ɪ/ for most dialects, and the final /s/ is not silent. This makes it straightforward, but tricky for native speakers of languages with different vowel inventories or silent final consonants.
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Tunis derives from the ancient Phoenician settlement and later Carthaginian influence in the region. The modern English name Tunis entered common usage through French and Arabic influences during the 19th and 20th centuries as colonial and post-colonial exchange increased. The root is connected to the city historically known as Tunis, occupying a strategic point near the Lake of Tunis and the north coast of Tunisia. Linguistically, the name evolved through contact among Maghrebi Arabic and European languages, with the English form typically reflecting French transliteration as Tunis. First known use in English appears in travel and diplomatic writings from the 18th century onward, solidifying Tunis as both a geographic and cultural reference. Over time, “Tunis” has become a widely recognized proper noun in English, often used in journalism, academia, and tourism to identify the city without diacritics. In contemporary usage, Tunis remains fixed as the capital’s name in most languages, sometimes accompanied by adjectives like Tunisian to describe nationality or cultural aspects. The pronunciation in English commonly reduces the final consonant cluster and emphasizes the first syllable, aligning with other geographic names that begin with a stressed, open syllable.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Tunis" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Tunis"
-nis sounds
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