A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Xiaomi
Pronounce Xiaomi like 'shyow-mee'. It's a Chinese tech brand known for smartphones and electronics.
xiaomi
SHYOW-mee
/ˈʃaʊ.mi/ · SHYOW · mee
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's a globally recognized name in the tech industry.
Where the word comes from
The name 'Xiaomi' (小米) is Chinese for 'millet'. The company's founder, Lei Jun, chose the name for its philosophical implications, suggesting that small things can be changed, and that even small beginnings can lead to great things.
Common ways people get it wrong
- zee-AH-oh-mee This comes from trying to pronounce the 'x' like in 'xylophone' and the 'ia' as separate syllables.
- shah-oh-mee This is a common mistake where the 'x' is pronounced like 'sh' but the 'io' is treated as two syllables.
Frequently asked
How do you say Xiaomi in Chinese?
In Mandarin Chinese, it's pronounced roughly as 'shyao-mee'. The 'x' is like the 'sh' in 'shoe' but with the tongue slightly further forward.
Is Xiaomi pronounced with an 'x' sound?
No, in English, the 'x' in Xiaomi is not pronounced like the 'x' in 'box'. It's closer to a 'sh' sound.
What does Xiaomi mean?
Xiaomi (小米) is Chinese for 'millet', a type of grain. The name was chosen for its symbolic meaning about starting small and achieving great things.
