A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Honda
Pronounce it like the car company, not a type of Japanese noodle.
honda
HON-duh
/ˈhɑn də/ · hon · duh
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
This word is almost exclusively used when referring to the Japanese automobile and motorcycle manufacturer. You'll hear it in conversations about cars, in advertisements, and when discussing vehicle maintenance.
Where the word comes from
The company name honors its founder, Soichiro Honda. It's a Japanese surname.
Common ways people get it wrong
- HON-DAH Some people pronounce the last syllable like 'ah,' but the standard English pronunciation uses a schwa sound, like the 'uh' in 'sofa'.
- hahn-duh The first syllable is a short 'o' sound, like in 'hot,' not a long 'ah' sound.
Frequently asked
Is it pronounced like the car or the noodle?
It's pronounced like the car company, Honda. The Japanese noodle dish is spelled and pronounced differently (ramen).
What's the stress on Honda?
The stress is on the first syllable: HON-duh. This is typical for most two-syllable words in English.
How do Japanese speakers say Honda?
While the English pronunciation is generally understood, native Japanese speakers might have a slightly different vowel sound in the first syllable, but the English 'HON-duh' is the standard for English speakers.
