A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Patagonia
Learn to pronounce Patagonia, the vast region in South America, with clear syllables and stress.
patagonia
pat-uh-GOH-nee-uh
/ˌpæt.əˈɡoʊ.ni.ə/ · pat · uh · GO · ni · uh
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
Patagonia is a geographical region spanning parts of Argentina and Chile. You'll hear it mentioned when discussing travel destinations, outdoor adventures like hiking and climbing, or the unique wildlife of the area.
Where the word comes from
The name Patagonia is believed to have been coined by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520. He referred to the native people he encountered as 'Patagão', meaning 'big foot' in Portuguese, due to their large footprints or footwear.
Common ways people get it wrong
- pat-uh-GON-ee-uh The stress is on the 'GO' syllable, not the 'GON'. Remember 'GOH' like in 'go'.
- pat-uh-JEE-nee-uh The 'G' sound is hard, like in 'go', not soft like in 'gem'.
Frequently asked
How do you say Patagonia?
It's pronounced pat-uh-GOH-nee-uh. The main stress falls on the third syllable, 'GOH'.
Is Patagonia a country?
No, Patagonia is not a country. It's a large region in the southern part of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile.
What does the name Patagonia mean?
The name likely comes from Magellan's term 'Patagão', meaning 'big foot', referring to the indigenous people he met.
