How to Pronounce Malé

Meaning and Context

Malé, the densely populated capital city of the Republic of Maldives, stands as the definitive political, economic, and cultural hub of this Indian Ocean archipelago nation. Officially designated the capital in 1968, following the end of the sultanate, Malé is a vibrant urban center characterized by its colorful high-rise buildings, bustling local markets like the Malé Fish Market, and iconic landmarks such as the golden-domed Islamic Centre and Grand Friday Mosque. As the primary gateway for tourism in the Maldives, the city offers a stark and fascinating contrast to the secluded luxury of the nation's resort islands, providing visitors with an authentic glimpse into Maldivian daily life. Its critical infrastructure includes the main seaport and Velana International Airport, situated on the adjacent island of Hulhulé, which connects the capital to the world. Despite its small geographical footprint, Malé's significance is immense, centralizing government administration, commerce, and the nation's rich history within its compact streets.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Malé, which includes the acute accent on the final 'e' (é). This diacritical mark is crucial as it indicates the correct pronunciation, /mɑːˈleɪ/, distinguishing it from the English word "male." Common misspellings and typos often omit the accent, resulting in Male. Other frequent errors include Mali (which is a separate African country), Maley, or Mallé. In digital contexts, the accent is sometimes approximated with an apostrophe, as in Male', though this is non-standard. When searching or writing, using the unaccented form may yield results, but for formal accuracy, particularly in geographical and encyclopedic contexts, retaining the acute accent is essential.

Example Sentences

After landing at Velana International Airport, we took a short ferry ride across the turquoise lagoon to explore the bustling streets of Malé.

No visit to the Maldives is complete without experiencing the vibrant chaos of the Malé Fish Market, where the day's catch is auctioned amid a symphony of shouts and seagulls.

The skyline of Malé, dominated by the imposing white structure of the Grand Friday Mosque, presents a striking contrast to the serene atolls visible on the horizon.

Due to severe land constraints, the city of Malé has expanded through ambitious land reclamation projects, creating new neighborhoods like Hulhumalé.

Navigating the compact capital by scooter, we discovered charming cafes and shops selling traditional libaas (dresses) away from the main tourist thoroughfares.

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