How Do You Spell BONGO?

Pronunciation: [bˈɒŋɡə͡ʊ] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "bongo" corresponds to the phonetic transcription /ˈbɑŋ.ɡoʊ/ which reflects its pronunciation. The first syllable, represented by the letter "b," is pronounced with a voiced bilabial stop, while the second syllable, represented by the letters "on," starts with a nasal vowel with a vowel sound, followed by a voiced velar nasal sound. The last syllable, represented by the letter "go," ends with a voiced velar plosive sound. Together, these sounds create the unique and recognizable sound of the bongo drum.

BONGO Meaning and Definition

  1. Bongo is a noun that refers to both a type of antelope and a musical instrument. As an antelope, the bongo is a large and relatively heavy-bodied animal that is native to the rainforests of central and eastern Africa. It has a dark reddish-brown or chestnut coat with white or pale stripes on its sides and spiraled horns that are present in both male and female individuals. The bongo is known for its elusive nature and ability to blend in with its wooded surroundings.

    As a musical instrument, the bongo is a pair of small, open-ended drums that are typically played with the hands or fingers. It originated in Cuba and is commonly associated with Latin American and Afro-Caribbean music genres such as salsa, mambo, and rumba. Bongos consist of two drums of different sizes that are connected or held together by a wooden or metal bridge. The larger drum, called the hembra, produces a lower pitch, while the smaller drum, known as the macho, produces a higher pitch. Bongos are played by striking the drums with the hands, fingers, or specialized drumsticks, and their unique and vibrant sounds add rhythmic and percussive elements to musical compositions.

Top Common Misspellings for BONGO *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for BONGO

Etymology of BONGO

The word "bongo" can be traced back to the Spanish term "bongó", however, the ultimate origin of the word is uncertain. It is commonly believed that "bongó" was derived from a West African language, as the instrument itself has African origins. Specifically, it is thought to have derived from the term "mbangu", which referred to a single-headed drum found in Central Africa. The word "bongo" first appeared in the English language in the early 20th century, and it primarily referred to a pair of small connected drums played together. Over time, "bongo" has come to be associated with different types of drums and musical instruments.

Similar spelling words for BONGO

Plural form of BONGO is BONGOS

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