How to pronounce fatwa
Say it like FAT-wah. Fatwa has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAT).
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Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fatwa. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈfætwɑ/FAT-wah
UK British/ˈfætwɑː/FAT-wah
- FAT
- wah
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fatwa pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- wahKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of fatwa
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: FAT-wah.
What does fatwa mean?
noun
- A formal legal decree, opinion, or ruling issued by a mufti or other Islamic judicial authority.“The website contains fatwas on points of Islamic law that arise in court cases.”
- A decree issued by a mufti or other Islamic judicial authority that a person should be put to death, usually as punishment for committing apostasy or blasphemy.
- A formal decree or ruling, or statement, issued by an authority of a religion other than Islam.
- To issue a fatwa (noun sense 1) against (someone); specifically (loosely, erroneous), a fatwa imposing a ban or a death sentence.
Where does fatwa come from?
The verb is derived from the noun.
Questions about saying fatwa
How do you pronounce fatwa?
Say FAT-wah. The American pronunciation is /ˈfætwɑ/. In British English it is /ˈfætwɑː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fatwa?
Fatwa has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAT). Broken into parts: FAT · wah.
Is fatwa pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat. The British form is /ˈfætwɑː/ (FAT-wah).