How to pronounce caliphate
Say it like KAL-ih-fayt. Caliphate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce caliphate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAL
- ih
- fayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Caliphate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- faytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of caliphate
American and British speakers say caliphate in essentially the same way: /ˈkælɪfeɪt/ in the US and /ˈkælɪfeɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAL-ih-fayt.
What does caliphate mean?
- Monarchical government based on a claim of succession to the Islamic State of Muhammad, ruled by a caliph.
Where does caliphate come from?
From Medieval Latin calīphātus, equivalent to caliph + -ate.
Questions about saying caliphate
How do you pronounce caliphate?
Say KAL-ih-fayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈkælɪfeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈkælɪfeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in caliphate?
Caliphate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAL). Broken into parts: KAL · ih · fayt.
Do Americans and Brits say caliphate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkælɪfeɪt/ and the British form is /ˈkælɪfeɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.