Pronunciation guide

How to pronounce nirvana

nir-VAH-nuh - three syllables, stress in the middle

US/nɪɹˈvɑ.nə/

nɪɹvɑnə

UK/nɪəˈvɑː.nə/

nɪəvɑːnə

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What “nirvana” means

Complete cessation of dukkha; a blissful state attained through realization of sunyata; enlightened experience.

State of paradise; heightened or great pleasure or peace; a state of universal perfection and bliss.

In a sentence

  • In meditation, many seek nirvana as a state of complete liberation from suffering.
  • The concert felt like nirvana, a moment of pure peace and bliss.

Say it out loud a few times, then check yourself.

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Definitions and examples are derived from Wiktionary, used under CC BY-SA 4.0, then edited by QuickPronounce. Pronunciation data draws on CMUdict.