How to pronounce haka
Say it like HAH-kuh. Haka has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce haka. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAH
- kuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Haka pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of haka
American and British speakers say haka in essentially the same way: /ˈhɑkə/ in the US and /ˈhɑːkə/ in the UK.
British respelling: HAH-kuh.
What does haka mean?
- A group dance of New Zealand's Māori people featuring rhythmic chanting, vigorous facial and arm movements, and foot stamping. Traditionally a war dance, today it is also performed to welcome guests, as a mark of respect at occasions such as commemorations and funerals, as a challenge to opposing te
- To perform the haka.
Where does haka come from?
Borrowed from Māori haka, from Proto-Polynesian *saka, from Proto-Oceanic *sagaʀ.
Words that rhyme with haka
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of haka.
Questions about saying haka
How do you pronounce haka?
Say HAH-kuh. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑkə/. In British English it is /ˈhɑːkə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in haka?
Haka has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAH). Broken into parts: HAH · kuh.
Do Americans and Brits say haka the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhɑkə/ and the British form is /ˈhɑːkə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.