We have previously compiled
Here is how these places are incorrectly pronounced, and how they should be.
1. Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos is one melting point of cultures and people. However, contrary to what foreigners think, it is not pronounced "Lah-gos", as in the city in Portugal, but "Lay-guhs".
2. Bangkok, China
It is not pronounced "Bang-kok" but rather, "Bahng-gawk".
3. Ibiza, Spain
This famous island is not pronounced as spelt, but rather "Ee-bee-tha" or "Eye-bee-tha".
4. Republic of Benin
This neighbouring country is usually mistaken for the Nigerian state, Benin. However, the country is pronounced as Republic of "Beh-neh" not "Benin".
5. Dubai, UAE
You might have heard this before, but this middle-eastern city in the United Arab Emirates that usually has Nigerians trooping in all year long. The city is actually pronounced "Doo-bay" and not "Du-bye".
6. Katsina, Nigeria
It is a very common error for non-northerners to pronounce this Nigerian state as "Kas-tina" instead of how it is spelt, "Kat-sina".
7. Tijuana, Mexico
Unlike what Americans have convinced the world, this small Mexican border city is not pronounced as "tee-ah-wuan-ah". It should be pronounced as "teeh-wuan-ah".
8. Melbourne, Australia
This Australian city is not pronounced "Mel-born" but "Mel-b'n".
9. Edinburgh, Scotland
This city is quite misleading in its pronunciation, but not to worry. Don't say "edin-berg" or "edin-bore-oh" or "edin-borough", rather say "edin-bur" or "edin-bur-ah".
10. Birmingham, UK
This famous city in the United Kingdom bears the same name as another city in Alabama, US. However, it pronounced as "bur-ming-em" and not "bir-ming-ham" or "bur-ming-ham".
11. Glasgow, Scotland
It is not pronounced as "glas-cow" but "glass-go".
12. Montréal, Canada
For those Canada lovers, this is for you. Montréal is the largest city in Canada's Québec province, the French-speaking part of Canada. The city is therefore pronounced as "Mun-tree-all" and not "mon-treel".
13. Budapest, Hungary
This very colourful and poetic city of Hungary is pronounced as "boo-dah-pesht" and not "boo-dah-pest" as we thought.
14. Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland is one of the happiest countries in the world to travel to, and Reykjavik is home to its biggest tourist attraction — The Blue Lagoon. In case you're visiting, the city is pronounced "Rey-kya-vik" and not "Rake-jah-vik".
15. Shanghai, China
Shanghai is one of the most popular cities in China. However the city is incorrectly pronounced as "Shan-gai" instead the correct "Shahng-hi".