How to pronounce abba
Say it like AB-uh. Abba has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abba. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AB
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abba pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ABSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of abba
American and British speakers say abba in essentially the same way: /ˈæbə/ in the US and /ˈæbə/ in the UK.
British respelling: AB-uh.
What does abba mean?
- Father; religious superior; in the Syriac, Coptic, and Ethiopic churches, a title given to the bishops, and by the bishops to the patriarch; a title given to Jewish scholars in the Talmudic period.
- Alternative form of aba (Middle Eastern garment).
Questions about saying abba
How do you pronounce abba?
Say AB-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˈæbə/. In British English it is /ˈæbə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abba?
Abba has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AB). Broken into parts: AB · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say abba the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæbə/ and the British form is /ˈæbə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.