How to Pronounce Mandarin

To pronounce "mandarin", say MAND-ar-in — 3 syllables, IPA /ˈmæn.də.ɹɪn/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

mandarin

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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3

Syllables

8

Letters

/ˈmæn.də.ɹɪn/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “mandarin”

"mandarin" has 3 syllables: mand-ar-in. It rhymes with andren, if that helps it stick.

What does mandarin mean?

noun

  1. A high government bureaucrat of the Chinese Empire
  2. A pedantic or elitist bureaucrat

adjective

  1. Pertaining to or reminiscent of mandarins; deliberately superior or complex; esoteric, highbrow, obscurantist

noun

  1. A perching duck that has a red bill, large white crescent above the eye and reddish face, Aix galericulata.

Hear “mandarin” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with mandarin

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

andren

Related words

chineseputonghuakoreanaccent

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "mandarin"?▾

"Mandarin" has 3 syllables: mand · ar · in.

What is the IPA transcription of "mandarin"?▾

The IPA transcription of "mandarin" is /ˈmæn.də.ɹɪn/.

What does "mandarin" mean?▾

Mandarin: A high government bureaucrat of the Chinese Empire

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