How to pronounce “Shanghai”

上海shàng hǎi

Literally: upon the sea.

❌ What English speakers usually say

“shang-HIGH” with the stress at the end

✅ What to say instead

SHAHNG-hai — falling on the first syllable, low on the second

The shape of the word

Tap any syllable to hear it. The curve above each one is the tone you are aiming for.

Syllable	Tone	Practise it
上 shàng	Fourth tone — sharp fall	shang — open drill →
海 hǎi	Third tone — low dip	hai — open drill →

How do you pronounce Shanghai?

Shanghai is 上海, shàng hǎi — SHAHNG-hai — falling on the first syllable, low on the second. Literally it means upon the sea.

What is the most common mistake with Shanghai?

“shang-HIGH” with the stress at the end

Can you actually say it?

Reading a respelling is not the same as producing the tones. The free 2-minute check listens to you and shows which syllables land wrong.