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Learn How to Pronounce Jerusalem | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Jerusalem

Quick Answer: In Hebrew, the name Jerusalem is written יְרוּשָׁלַיִם (Yerushalayim) and pronounced [jeʁuʃaˈlajim], while in English it is /dʒəˈruːsələm/.
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

Jerusalem, known in Hebrew as Yerushalayim and in Arabic as Al-Quds, is a city of profound and unparalleled significance, serving as a spiritual epicenter and historical nexus for three of the world's major monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Its ancient history, stretching back over three millennia, is etched into the very stones of its iconic landmarks, including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock. As Israel's proclaimed capital, a status recognized by several nations following the U.S. move of its embassy in 2018, Jerusalem remains a focal point of both pilgrimage and geopolitical discourse. The city's unique character is defined by its distinct quarters—Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian—within the walls of the Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site. For believers, a visit to Jerusalem represents a journey to the heart of their religious heritage, while for historians and archaeologists, it is an endlessly rich repository of ancient civilizations. The city's status as a holy city ensures its enduring role as a symbol of faith, a center of religious tourism, and a key subject in discussions of Middle East peace and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard English spelling is "Jerusalem." Common misspellings and typographical errors often arise from phonetic misinterpretations or keyboard slips, such as "Jerusalam" (dropping the 'e'), "Jeruselum" (substituting 'e' for the second 'a'), or "Jeruslaem" (transposing the 'l' and 'a'). In other languages, the name varies significantly, reflecting its deep cultural embeddings: it is "Yerushalayim" (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם) in Hebrew, "Al-Quds" (القُدس) in Arabic, and "Hierosolyma" in historical Latin contexts. When writing, it is important to capitalize the term as it is a proper noun and the name of a specific city. Another frequent error is the misuse of the adjective form, which is "Jerusalemite" for a resident or something pertaining to the city, not "Jerusalemic" or similar constructions.

Example Sentences

Pilgrims from around the world travel to Jerusalem to walk the Via Dolorosa and reflect upon its sacred history.

Archaeologists continue to make groundbreaking discoveries in Jerusalem, unearthing artifacts that illuminate life during the First Temple period.

The vibrant, crowded markets of the Old City of Jerusalem offer a sensory immersion into centuries of intertwined cultural traditions.

Diplomatic efforts often stall over the contentious issue of Jerusalem's final status and the rights to its holy sites.

Her research focused on the architectural evolution of Jerusalem's skyline from the Ottoman era to the modern day.

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