A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Yogyakarta
Pronounce Yogyakarta like 'yohg-yar-TAH' to navigate this Indonesian city's rich culture and history.
yogyakarta
yohg-yar-TAH
/ˌjɔɡ.jɑːrˈtɑː/ · yohg · yar · TAH
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's often mentioned in relation to its historical significance, traditional arts, and as a gateway to ancient temples like Borobudur.
Where the word comes from
The name Yogyakarta comes from Sanskrit. 'Yogya' means 'suitable, fitting' and 'karta' means 'prosperous, developed'. Together, it signifies a place that is fittingly prosperous.
Common ways people get it wrong
- yoh-goh-KAR-tuh This common mistake comes from trying to pronounce each letter individually. Remember the 'y' at the start is like 'yoh', and the 'g' is a hard 'g'.
- yoh-gurt-AH-tah The middle syllable is 'yar', not 'gurt'. Focus on the 'a' sound in 'father' for the 'ar'.
Frequently asked
What is the stress in Yogyakarta?
The main stress falls on the last syllable: yohg-yar-TAH. There's a secondary stress on the first syllable, making it sound like 'yohg-yar-TAH'.
How do you say the 'g' in Yogyakarta?
The 'g' is a hard 'g', like in the word 'go'. It's not a soft 'j' sound.
Is Yogyakarta a city or a region?
Yogyakarta is both a city and a special region in Indonesia, serving as a major cultural and educational center.
