A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Tian'anmen
Pronounced 'tyen-AHN-men,' this iconic Beijing landmark is a vast public square.
tian'anmen
tyen-AHN-men
/ˈtjɛnˌɑnˈmɛn/ · tyen · ahn · men
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
Tiananmen Square is frequently mentioned in news reports about China, especially concerning political events or historical significance. It's also a key location for tourists visiting Beijing, often appearing on travel itineraries and in guidebooks.
Where the word comes from
The name comes from Mandarin Chinese, meaning 'Gate of Heavenly Peace.' It refers to the gate that historically separated the Forbidden City from the square.
Common ways people get it wrong
- tee-AN-men Some English speakers might pronounce the first syllable like 'tee,' but it's closer to 'tyen,' with a slight 'y' sound after the 't'.
- ti-AN-men The stress falls on the second and third syllables, so don't put equal emphasis on all parts of the word.
Frequently asked
How do you say Tiananmen?
It's pronounced 'tyen-AHN-men.' The stress is on the second and third syllables, with the first syllable sounding like 'tyen'.
What does Tiananmen mean?
In Mandarin Chinese, Tiananmen means 'Gate of Heavenly Peace.' It's named after a significant gate in Beijing.
Is it Tiananmen Square or Tiananmen?
Tiananmen is the name of the gate, and the vast public square in front of it is commonly called Tiananmen Square. Both terms refer to the same iconic location in Beijing.
