Learn How to Pronounce Manaus | YouPronounce.it
How to Pronounce Manaus
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)
Meaning and Context
Manaus is the capital and largest city of the vast Brazilian state of Amazonas, a sprawling metropolis of over two million people situated at the confluence of the Negro and Solimões rivers, which form the mighty Amazon River. Founded as a Portuguese fort in 1669, the city's modern identity was forged during the late 19th-century Amazon rubber boom, an era of immense wealth that endowed it with architectural marvels like the iconic Teatro Amazonas opera house. Today, it functions as a crucial industrial hub and free trade zone, attracting major technology and manufacturing companies, while remaining the primary gateway to the Amazon rainforest for scientific research and eco-tourism. Its unique position in the heart of the jungle makes it a vital port city for riverine commerce and a fascinating cultural crossroads where urban life and the world's greatest biodiversity converge.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The standard and correct spelling is Manaus. A common misspelling, often seen in older texts or due to phonetic confusion, is Manaos, which reflects a former transliteration from Portuguese. Other frequent errors include dropping the second 'a' to create Manus, or misspelling it as Manuas. It is also sometimes incorrectly capitalized in full as MANAUS outside of headline contexts. Travelers and writers should note that while "Manaos" may appear in historical contexts, the contemporary and officially recognized spelling for the city and its administrative region is unequivocally Manaus.
Example Sentences
No trip to the Brazilian Amazon is complete without spending a few days exploring the vibrant culture and history of Manaus.
The breathtaking Teatro Amazonas, a symbol of the city's rubber-boom opulence, hosts a diverse program of performances throughout the year.
Many Amazon river cruises begin their journeys into the pristine jungle from the bustling port of Manaus.
Researchers from around the globe utilize the city's infrastructure as a base for studying tropical ecology and biodiversity.
Despite being located a thousand miles from the ocean, Manaus operates as one of Brazil's most important inland ports, facilitating trade throughout the Amazon basin.
The Meeting of the Waters, where the dark Rio Negro and the sandy Solimões River flow side-by-side for miles without mixing, is a must-see natural phenomenon just outside the city.
Related Pronunciations
- How to pronounce Grand Bahama
- How to pronounce Uberlândia
- How to pronounce Curitiba
- How to pronounce San José de Cúcuta
- How to pronounce Brasília