Learn How to Pronounce Teide

Quick Answer: In Spanish, Teide is pronounced [ˈtejðe].
(Listen to the audio above for the stress and intonation)

The Expert's Take

Dr. Franz Lang

"I'll never forget my first glimpse of Teide from the plane, a colossal silhouette rising from the sea. Later, a local geologist friend explained its name's Guanche origins, and we discussed the almost universal, majestic single-syllable peak names like Fuji or Denali. Teide’s name carries the silent power of the ancient volcano it represents."

By Dr. Franz Lang

Meaning and Context

Mount Teide, or El Teide, is a colossal dormant volcano that dominates the landscape of Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands. With a summit elevation of 3,715 meters, it holds the dual distinction of being the highest point in Spain and the tallest mountain above sea level in the entire Atlantic Ocean basin. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 for its outstanding geological significance, Teide National Park (Parque Nacional del Teide) is a premier destination for millions of visitors annually, drawn by its otherworldly volcanic landscapes, unique flora like the Teide violet, and exceptional stargazing opportunities. The volcano's immense stratovolcano structure, its historical eruptions (the last occurring in 1909), and the accessible cable car ride to its upper slopes make it a cornerstone of tourism in Tenerife and a globally recognized natural monument.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is "Teide." A common alternative is "El Teide," which incorporates the Spanish definite article "el" (meaning "the") and is equally correct in many contexts, often used formally or to specify the full name. Frequent misspellings arise from phonetic guesses or confusion with similar words, resulting in errors such as "Tiede," "Teidee," or "Teyde." Another occasional error is the conflation with "Tenerife," the island on which Teide is located, leading to the mistaken compound "Mount Tenerife." In written references, it is important to capitalize "Teide" as it is a proper noun. The associated national park is correctly spelled "Teide National Park" in English and "Parque Nacional del Teide" in Spanish.

Example Sentences

No visit to Tenerife is complete without witnessing the awe-inspiring silhouette of Teide against the sunset.

Many ambitious hikers undertake the pre-dawn trek to the summit of Mount Teide to watch the sunrise from the highest point in Spain.

The stark, Martian-like terrain of Teide National Park offers some of the clearest skies for astronomical observation in the Northern Hemisphere.

Geologists study the lava flows and pyroclastic deposits around El Teide to understand the volcanic history of the Canary Islands.

Due to its altitude, the climate at the peak of Teide can be dramatically colder than on the coastal resorts just a short drive away.

The cable car provides a breathtaking ascent, though a permit is required for the final climb to the very crater rim.

Sources and References

I checked the Spanish pronunciation using the dictionary of the Real Academia Española (RAE). I listened to native speakers from the Canary Islands on Forvo and watched travel documentaries and news reports about the volcano on Spanish TV channels like RTVE.

Related Pronunciations

📂 Browse all words in the Mountains, Volcanoes and Peaks category ➔