How to pronounce karate
Say it like kuh-RAH-tee. Karate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce karate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- RAH
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Karate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of karate
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: kuh-RAH-tee.
What does karate mean?
- a traditional Japanese system of unarmed combat; sharp blows and kicks are given to pressure-sensitive points on the body of the opponent
Words that rhyme with karate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of karate.
Questions about saying karate
How do you pronounce karate?
Say kuh-RAH-tee. The American pronunciation is /kəˈrɑti/. In British English it is /kəˈrɑːti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in karate?
Karate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAH). Broken into parts: kuh · RAH · tee.
Is karate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /kəˈrɑːti/ (kuh-RAH-tee).