ambira: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1+Technical/Ethnomusicological
Quick answer
What does “ambira” mean?
A keyboard percussion instrument of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, also known as a mbira or thumb piano.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A keyboard percussion instrument of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, also known as a mbira or thumb piano.
Specifically refers to a type of mbira with a wider, gourd-resonated body and a specific tuning, central to traditional Shona music and spiritual ceremonies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning or usage, as the term is technical. In both regions, 'mbira' is the more common general term.
Connotations
Carries connotations of ethnomusicology, African traditional music, and specific cultural heritage.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties. Used almost exclusively by musicians, ethnomusicologists, and enthusiasts of African music.
Grammar
How to Use “ambira” in a Sentence
play + AMBIRAlisten to + AMBIRAthe sound of + AMBIRAVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ambira” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The ambira player demonstrated the traditional tuning.
American English
- He studied ambira music during his fieldwork in Zimbabwe.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in ethnomusicology, anthropology, and African studies papers and discussions.
Everyday
Very rarely used, except by specific enthusiasts.
Technical
Primary context. Used to specify instrument type, tuning, and construction in musicology and instrument-making.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ambira”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ambira”
- Confusing 'ambira' with the more general 'mbira'. Using it to refer to any modern kalimba. Mispronouncing it as /əmˈbaɪrə/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An ambira is a specific traditional Shona instrument with a defined tuning and gourd resonator. A kalimba is a modern, often Westernized and mass-produced version of the mbira concept.
No, it is a highly specialized term. Most English speakers would use the more general terms 'mbira' or 'thumb piano'.
No, it is exclusively a noun referring to the instrument.
The /ɪər/ (British) vs. /ɪr/ (American) difference reflects the general pattern of pronunciation variation for 'ire' sounds between the two accents.
A keyboard percussion instrument of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, also known as a mbira or thumb piano.
Ambira is usually technical/ethnomusicological in register.
Ambira: in British English it is pronounced /æmˈbɪərə/, and in American English it is pronounced /æmˈbɪrə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AM' for African Music, 'BIRA' sounds like 'beer' – imagine a traditional musician playing a thumb piano while enjoying a local brew.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE INSTRUMENT IS A VOICE (for the ancestors/the spirit world).
Practice
Quiz
What is an 'ambira' most specifically?