Learn How to Pronounce Colombo | YouPronounce.it
How to Pronounce Colombo
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)
Meaning and Context
Colombo, the bustling commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka, serves as the nation's primary economic, cultural, and logistical hub. Strategically positioned on the west coast, its history as a port city dates back centuries, influenced by Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial rule, which is evident in its architectural tapestry from the iconic Colombo Fort district to the grand Galle Face Green. Today, Colombo is a dynamic metropolis where modern skyscrapers, luxury hotels, and sprawling shopping malls like Colombo City Centre coexist with vibrant markets, sacred sites such as the Gangaramaya Temple, and diverse culinary scenes. As the home to the Port of Colombo, one of the busiest artificial harbors in the world and a pivotal transshipment center in the Indian Ocean, the city is integral to global maritime trade routes and Sri Lanka's tourism industry, offering visitors a compelling blend of heritage, commerce, and coastal charm.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The standard spelling is "Colombo." Common misspellings and variations often arise from phonetic interpretations or confusion with similar-sounding words. Frequent errors include "Columbo," which references the fictional detective Lieutenant Columbo, and "Colompo." Other typographical mistakes might involve single 'l' or 'm' such as "Colombo" or "Colombo." In Sinhala, the city is written as කොළඹ, and in Tamil, it is கொழும்பு, but the anglicized "Colombo" remains the universally accepted English spelling for international contexts, travel writing, and official documentation.
Example Sentences
After a day of exploring the bustling Pettah Market, we retreated to a colonial-era hotel in the heart of Colombo for a refreshing cup of Ceylon tea.
The Port of Colombo's expansion has solidified its status as a critical node in global shipping logistics, driving much of the nation's economic activity.
Many tourists use Colombo as a gateway city, spending a night or two visiting the National Museum and enjoying the sunset on Galle Face Green before heading south to the country's famed beaches.
The architectural landscape of Colombo tells a story of layered history, where Dutch-era warehouses stand in the shadow of gleaming new financial towers.
Planning a trip to Sri Lanka inevitably involves a stay in Colombo, as the city's Bandaranaike International Airport is the main point of entry for most international travelers.
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