English pronunciation · Words Starting with A

Amsterdam Pronunciation

Amsterdam is pronounced AM-ster-dam, IPA /ˈæmstɝˌdæm/.

AM-ster-dam

US /ˈæmstɝˌdæm/

Syllables: AM · ster · dam (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)

proper noun: The capital of the Netherlands, built around a ring of canals.

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Amsterdam in a Sentence

  • Amsterdam is an hour from Rotterdam by train.
  • We rented bikes for three days in Amsterdam.
  • The Amsterdam house was built in 1698.

Common Mispronunciations of Amsterdam

Not am-ster-DAM

English settles the beat on the first syllable even though Dutch places it at the end. Both are heard, but AM-ster-dam is the usual English form.

Not AHM-ster-dahm

Flat a in both the first and the last syllable, as in ham. The broad ah is a Dutch flavour rather than an English one.

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