How to pronounce iwi
Say it like EE-wee. Iwi has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce iwi. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EE
- wee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Iwi pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- weeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of iwi
American and British speakers say iwi in essentially the same way: /ˈiwi/ in the US and /ˈiːwi/ in the UK.
British respelling: EE-wee.
What does iwi mean?
- An extended group of Maori kin groups or families, sharing common ancestry; a tribe. (An iwi is smaller than a waka and larger than a hapu.)
Where does iwi come from?
Borrowed from Māori iwi (literally “bone”), ultimately from Proto-Oceanic *suRi (“bone”).
Questions about saying iwi
How do you pronounce iwi?
Say EE-wee. The American pronunciation is /ˈiwi/. In British English it is /ˈiːwi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in iwi?
Iwi has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE). Broken into parts: EE · wee.
Do Americans and Brits say iwi the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈiwi/ and the British form is /ˈiːwi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.