A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Ashgabat
Pronounced ASH-guh-bot, this is the capital city of Turkmenistan in Central Asia.
ashgabat
ASH-guh-bot
/ˈɑʃ.ɡə.bɑt/ · ash · guh · bat
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
Ashgabat is primarily encountered when discussing Central Asian geography, politics, or international relations. You might see it in news reports about Turkmenistan or in travel guides.
Where the word comes from
The name is believed to derive from Persian and Parthian, meaning 'city of Arshak' or 'Arsaces', referring to an ancient Parthian king.
Common ways people get it wrong
- ASH-gah-BAT The stress is on the first syllable, ASH, not the last. Remember the rhythm: ASH-guh-bot.
- ASH-uh-bat The second syllable is a short 'guh' sound, like the 'u' in 'but', not a schwa sound.
Frequently asked
Where is Ashgabat located?
Ashgabat is the capital city of Turkmenistan, a country in Central Asia. It's located in the Karakum Desert.
What's the most common mistake when saying Ashgabat?
The most common mistake is putting the stress on the last syllable instead of the first. It's ASH-guh-bot, not ash-guh-BOT.
