2 syllables: Ze, bra. Stress on Ze.
ZEE-bruh
/ˈzibɹə/
Zebra is pronounced ZEE-bruh (/ˈzibɹə/). It has two syllables (Ze-bra), with the stress on "Ze". Zebra is a noun referring to an African wild horse with distinctive black-and-white stripes. Commonly used to denote the striped animal, it is also used metaphorically (e.g., bleached patterns, brand names). In English, the word is typically stressed on the first syllable: ZEE-brə or ZEH-brə, depending on dialect, and it functions as a single-myllable noun in casual speech with notable final schwa.”.
nounZebra is a noun referring to an African wild horse with distinctive black-and-white stripes. Commonly used to denote the striped animal, it is also used metaphorically (e.g., bleached patterns, brand names). In English, the word is typically stressed on the first syllable: ZEE-brə or ZEH-brə, depending on dialect, and it functions as a single-myllable noun in casual speech with notable final schwa.”
How to Pronounce Zebra
"The zebra grazed near the savanna as a group moved in single file."
"Researchers studied zebra stripes to understand their camouflage and social signaling."
"We bought a zebra-print rug for the living room."
Phonetic guide: US /ˈzɛ.brə/ or /ˈzeɪ.brə/? The canonical pronunciation places primary stress on the first syllable: ZEH-brə, with the second syllable reduced to a schwa. In careful speech you’ll hear /ˈzɛbrə/; in some dialects a slightly longer first vowel /ˈzeɪbrə/ may appear in older or stylized speech. Mouth position: start with a mid-open front vowel for /z/ and /ɛ/, then a relaxed /br/ blend, and finish with a relaxed, neutral /ə/. Audio参考: listen to native speakers pronouncing zebra in standard corpora orPronounce and YouGlish samples.
Two common errors: 1) Overpronouncing the second syllable, turning /ə/ into an explicit /ɪ/ or /eɪ/; correct by keeping the second syllable weakly reduced to /ə/. 2) Misplacing stress as on the second syllable in fast speech or non-native mobility, yielding /zəˈbræ/ or /ˈzeɪ.bɹə/; fix by restoring primary stress on the first syllable and shortening the second syllable. Practice with minimal pairs and mirror mouth positions to ensure the /z/ is crisp and the /br/ cluster is smooth.
In US English, stress remains on the first syllable /ˈzɛbrə/ with a clear /z/ and a subdued second syllable. UK English often mirrors /ˈzɛbrə/ but may have a slightly more clipped second syllable depending on speed. Australian English is similar to US, but vowels in the first syllable can be broader, sometimes approaching /ˈzæːbrə/ in casual speech. All accents maintain the two-syllable pattern with a final schwa; the main variation is vowel quality in the first syllable.
The difficulty lies in the /z/ onset followed by a single-stressed first syllable with a reduced second syllable, a combination that can invite vowel- or consonant-omission errors in fluent speech. Some speakers unconsciously insert a vowel into the second syllable (/ˈzɛbəɹə/), or stress may drift to the second syllable in connected speech. Focus on maintaining a clean /z/ onset, stable /ɛ/ vowel, and a relaxed, quiet /ə/ in the second syllable to keep the word natural.
In standard American and British usage, zebra is two syllables with primary stress on the first: /ˈzɛbrə/. The second syllable is typically unstressed and reduced to a schwa, especially in quick speech. In careful or theatrical speech, you might feel a stronger second syllable, but that is non-idiomatic for everyday use. So, you’ll hear /ˈzɛbrə/ most of the time, with the second syllable only lightly pronounced.
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The word zebra originates from the Italian zèbra and the Portuguese zebra, ultimately from older Latin and Greek sources. Its earliest English attestations appear in the late 18th century, borrowing from European explorers’ names for African striped horses and from foreign languages encountered during colonial expansion. The semantic core shifted from describing any striped animal to specifically the African wild horse with black-and-white stripes. The mid-19th century encountered standardized spellings like zebra in British English, with American usage following suit. The name’s pronunciation settled into /ˈzɛbrə/ in US English and /ˈzɛbrə/ or /ˈziːbrə/ in some dialects, though many speakers reduce the final syllable to a schwa. Over time, zebra has accrued metaphorical usages (e.g., “zebra crossing” for pedestrians’ crosswalks in some regions). Today, it remains a quintessential example word in phonology demonstrations due to its simple consonant-vowel structure and the common first-syllable stress pattern familiar to learners worldwide.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Zebra" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Zebra" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Zebra" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Zebra"
-bra sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
