How to pronounce

Yosemite

Have you wondered how to say the four‑syllable name “Yosemite”? Here’s the breakdown.

Step‑by‑Step Pronunciation Guide

Phonetic spelling: /joʊˈsɛm.ɪ.ti/ → yo‑SEM‑it‑ee
Breaking it down
• yo – “yo” as in “yoga”
• SEM – stressed syllable, rhymes with “them”
• it – short “it” as in “sit”
• ee – quick long “ee” finish
Say it smoothly in four beats with the stress on the second syllable: yo‑SEM‑it‑ee.

Common Mispronunciations

• “yo‑sa‑MIGHT” – ending with “might”
• “yo‑ze‑MITE” – making “mite” rhyme with “bite”
• Dropping a syllable: “yo‑SEMM‑tee”

Practice Sentences

• “We’re hiking Half Dome in Yosemite next summer.”
• “macOS Yosemite introduced a new design language for Apple.”
• “Ansel Adams captured stunning photos of Yosemite Valley.”

Yosemite in Culture and Travel

Established in 1890, Yosemite National Park symbolizes the American conservation movement and attracts millions of visitors annually. Apple even named a macOS release after it. Saying yo‑SEM‑it‑ee keeps your travel chats and tech talks accurate.

Definition of

Yosemite

Yosemite most often refers to Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada, famous for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant sequoias.

What does it mean

Yosemite

From a Southern Sierra Miwok term often glossed as “killer” or “they are killers,” originally referring to a local tribe; adopted in the 19th century as the name of the valley and, later, the national park.