Learn How to Pronounce Hiroshima | YouPronounce.it
How to Pronounce Hiroshima
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)
Meaning and Context
Hiroshima, a major urban center on Japan's Honshu Island, is a city defined by its profound historical legacy and its remarkable rebirth as an international symbol of peace and resilience. Founded as a castle town in the 16th century, its modern identity was irrevocably shaped on August 6, 1945, when it became the first city in history to be targeted by an atomic bomb. This pivotal event of World War II led to unprecedented devastation and loss of life. From that tragedy, Hiroshima has been meticulously rebuilt, now home to the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes the iconic skeletal ruins of the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome). Beyond its solemn memorials, Hiroshima is a vibrant prefectural capital renowned for its delicious local cuisine—most famously Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki—its bustling downtown, and as the gateway to the sacred island of Miyajima and its iconic floating Itsukushima Shrine. The city's dual narrative of tragic history and hopeful renewal makes it a powerful destination for historical tourism, peace studies, and cultural exploration.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The standard spelling is Hiroshima. Common misspellings and typographical errors often arise from phonetic misinterpretation or keyboard slip. Frequent incorrect variations include "Hiroshima" (adding an 's'), "Hiroshma" (transposing the 'i' and 'm'), and "Hirochima" (using a 'c'). The name is also sometimes mistakenly written as "Heroshima" or "Hirochima." In Japanese, the city's name is written with three kanji characters: 広島, which literally mean "Wide Island." Non-native speakers should take care to pronounce and spell it with a sharp "sh" sound, not a "see" or "ch" sound, to ensure accuracy.
Example Sentences
Every year on August 6th, a solemn ceremony is held at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the victims of the atomic bombing.
Many visitors to Hiroshima make a point to try the city's signature layered okonomiyaki, cooked on a hot grill right before their eyes.
The haunting silhouette of the Atomic Bomb Dome stands as a powerful architectural witness to the events of 1945.
A day trip from Hiroshima to the nearby island of Miyajima to see the great torii gate is considered essential.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum provides a deeply moving and educational experience for all who wish to understand the human cost of nuclear warfare.
Reconstruction efforts transformed Hiroshima from ashes into a thriving, green metropolis known globally as a Capital of Peace.
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