A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Borobudur
Pronounce Borobudur like the magnificent Javanese Buddhist temple it is: boh-roh-BUUD-er.
borobudur
boh-roh-BUUD-er
/ˌboʊ.roʊˈbʊ.dər/ · bo · ro · bu · dur
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
Borobudur is primarily encountered when discussing world heritage sites, travel to Indonesia, or Buddhist architecture. You'll see it in travel guides, documentaries, and news articles about cultural landmarks.
Where the word comes from
The name is thought to derive from the Sanskrit 'Vihara Buddha Uhr', meaning 'Buddhist Monastery on the Hill'.
Common ways people get it wrong
- BOR-oh-bud-der People sometimes stress the first syllable because it's a common pattern in English, but the stress is on the third syllable here.
- bor-o-BOO-door The final syllable is a soft 'er' sound like in 'butter', not a long 'oor' sound.
Frequently asked
What is the correct pronunciation of Borobudur?
The most common pronunciation in English is boh-roh-BUUD-er. The stress falls on the third syllable, 'BUUD'.
Is Borobudur a city or a temple?
Borobudur is a famous Mahayana Buddhist temple complex in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. It is one of the world's largest Buddhist monuments.
How do you say Borobudur in Indonesian?
The Indonesian pronunciation is very similar to the English one, boh-roh-BUUD-er, with the same stress on the third syllable.
