A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Ushuaia
Learn how to pronounce Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, with this simple guide to its Spanish-influenced rhythm.
ushuaia
oo-SWY-uh
/uˈswaɪə/ · u · swai · a
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It is the primary jumping-off point for expeditions to the Southern Ocean and is frequently mentioned in adventure documentaries.
Where the word comes from
The name comes from the Yaghan language, combining ush (at the back) and waia (bay), referring to its location at the end of the world.
Common ways people get it wrong
- uh-SHOO-ay-uh English speakers often try to pronounce the 'sh' sound, but the 's' and 'h' are separate sounds here; treat the 's' as part of the 'swai' syllable.
- YOO-shuh-why-uh This is a common attempt to anglicize the spelling, but the word starts with a clean 'oo' sound rather than a 'yoo'.
Frequently asked
Is the 'h' in Ushuaia silent?
Yes, the 'h' is silent in Spanish. You should pronounce the 's' and the 'w' together as a 'sw' sound.
Where is Ushuaia located?
Ushuaia is located in the Tierra del Fuego province of Argentina. It is widely recognized as the southernmost city in the world.
Do locals pronounce it differently?
In the local Argentine Spanish dialect, the 'y' sound can sometimes lean toward a 'sh' or 'zh' sound. However, the 'oo-SWY-uh' pronunciation is the standard way for English speakers to be understood.
