A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Spokane
A city in Washington state, pronounced with a long 'a' sound, not like 'Spain'.
spokane
spo-KAYN
/spoʊˈkeɪn/ · spo · KAYN
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's the second-largest city in Washington state, often mentioned in contexts of its economy, culture, or outdoor recreation.
Where the word comes from
The name Spokane comes from the Spokane people, a Native American tribe whose name is believed to mean 'children of the sun' or 'people of the clear sky' in their language.
Common ways people get it wrong
- spoʊˈkeɪn Some might pronounce the second syllable like 'Spain', but it's a clear 'kayn' sound.
Frequently asked
How do you pronounce Spokane?
It's pronounced spo-KAYN. The stress is on the second syllable, which rhymes with 'rain' or 'plain'.
Is Spokane pronounced like Spain?
No, it's not pronounced like Spain. The vowel sound in the second syllable is a long 'a', like in 'cake' or 'make'.
Where is Spokane?
Spokane is a major city in eastern Washington state, near the Idaho border. It's the county seat of Spokane County.
How do locals pronounce Spokane?
Locals pronounce Spokane with the emphasis on the first syllable, sounding like 'spo-KAYN'.
Is it spo cane or spo can?
It is pronounced 'spo-KAYN', rhyming with 'rain' or 'pain', not 'can'.
Why does Spokane have an E at the end?
The 'e' at the end of Spokane is silent, following typical English pronunciation patterns for words of this origin.
