YAK-im-uh
/ˈjækɪmə/
yakima is pronounced YAK-im-uh (/ˈjækɪmə/). Yakima is a proper noun most often referring to the city in Washington state. It is pronounced with two syllables and a stress on the first: YA-kee-ma. The name stems from a Native American language and is used in geographic, cultural, and corporate contexts. Its pronunciation leans toward a clear, clipped first syllable followed by a lighter, unstressed final.
Yakima is a proper noun most often referring to the city in Washington state. It is pronounced with two syllables and a stress on the first: YA-kee-ma. The name stems from a Native American language and is used in geographic, cultural, and corporate contexts. Its pronunciation leans toward a clear, clipped first syllable followed by a lighter, unstressed final.
"I attended a festival in Yakima last summer."
"The Yakima River flows through central Washington."
"Our company opened a new office in Yakima this year."
You say ya-KEE-ma with primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈjækɪmə/. Break it down: /ˈjæ/ (short ‘a’ as in cat) + /kɪ/ (short ‘i’ as in kit) + /mə/ (unstressed ‘ma’). In careful speech, the first vowel is lax, and the second syllable is reduced. Listen for an even, crisp /k/ followed by a lighter /ɪ/ before the final /mə/. Audio reference: [native speaker pronunciations on Forvo, YouGlish]
Common mistakes: misplacing stress (trying ya-KI-ma), elongating the second syllable, or pronouncing the second vowel as a full /iː/ instead of short /ɪ/. Correction: keep primary stress on /ˈjæk/ and shorten the middle vowel to /ɪ/; end with a light, schwa-like /mə/. Practice with minimal pairs like /ˈjækɪmə/ vs /ˈjeɪkɪmə/ to train the correct vowel quality.
US pronunciation uses /ˈjækɪmə/ with rhotic or near-rhotic influence depending on speaker. UK speakers typically maintain /ˈjækɪmə/ as well, but vowel timbre can be lighter and the /ɪ/ might be shorter. Australian accents may reduce the final vowel slightly and feature a more centralized /ə/ in /mə/. Core two-syllable pattern remains, but vowel quality and rhythm shift with regional vowel shifts.
Difficulties stem from the short, clipped first syllable and the mid vowel /ɪ/ in the second syllable, followed by a quick, unstressed /mə/. For non-native speakers, the transition from /k/ to /ɪ/ to /mə/ can feel abrupt. Also, the first syllable length is short; you want a clear, strong /æ/ quality without veering into /eɪ/ or /ɛ/. Focus on keeping the syllables distinct and steady.
The unique feature is the crisp, two-consonant onset /j/ + /æ/ followed by a brisk /k/ and a quick /ɪ/ before a reduced final /mə/. The stress pattern is fixed on the first syllable, with a short, almost clipped middle vowel. Unlike many place-names that carry trailing strong vowels, yakima tends toward a compact, fast cadence, creating a distinctive two-beat rhythm: YA-kì-ma.
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Yakima derives from a Yakama (also spelled Yakima) language term used by the Yakama Nation to describe the area and people. The place name entered English usage as European settlers mapped the Pacific Northwest in the 19th century. The term evolved from an Indigenous designation that referred to the river and the people; as with many toponyms, pronunciation was anglicized to fit English phonotactics. First known written uses appeared in explorers’ journals and early American maps in the early 1800s, with continued usage in regional institutions, businesses, and geographic names. Over time, Yakima’s usage broadened from a specific river/valley to the city and broader cultural references in the state of Washington.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "yakima" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "yakima" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "yakima"
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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