How to pronounce Kirkuk
Say it like keer-KUUK. Kirkuk has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KUUK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Kirkuk. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- keer
- KUUK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kirkuk pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- keerGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KUUKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of Kirkuk
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: keer-KUUK.
What does Kirkuk mean?
- a city in northeastern Iraq; the center of a rich oilfield with pipelines to the Mediterranean
Words that rhyme with Kirkuk
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Kirkuk.
Questions about saying Kirkuk
How do you pronounce Kirkuk?
Say keer-KUUK. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɪrˈkʊk/. In British English it is /ˌkɪəˈkʊk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Kirkuk?
Kirkuk has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KUUK). Broken into parts: keer · KUUK.
Is Kirkuk pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌkɪəˈkʊk/ (keer-KUUK).