English pronunciation · Words Starting with S
Samba Pronunciation
Samba is pronounced SAHM-buh, IPA /ˈsɑmbə/.
SAHM-buh
US /ˈsɑmbə/ · UK /ˈsæmbə/
Syllables: SAHM · buh (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
noun: A fast Brazilian dance and the music written for it.
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Samba in a Sentence
- The band finished on a samba.
- She has taken samba lessons since March.
- Drummers kept the samba going until two in the morning.
Common Mispronunciations of Samba
Not SAM-buh
Portuguese opens that first vowel to the ah of father, so the word begins closer to som than to sam.
Not sahm-BAH
SAHM holds the beat and the ending falls away to a weak buh.
Tip: British speakers often keep the a of cat here, SAM-buh, and nobody will misunderstand either version.
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