How to pronounce kiwi
Say it like KEE-wee. Kiwi has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce kiwi. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KEE
- wee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kiwi pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KEESay 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 kiwi
American and British speakers say kiwi in essentially the same way: /ˈkiwi/ in the US and /ˈkiːwi/ in the UK.
British respelling: KEE-wee.
What does kiwi mean?
- A flightless bird of the order Apterygiformes native to New Zealand.
- Alternative letter-case form of Kiwi (“a person from New Zealand”).
- A New Zealand dollar.
- Any kind of black shoe polish.
- Alternative letter-case form of Kiwi (“of or from New Zealand”)
Where does kiwi come from?
Borrowed from Māori kiwi.
Questions about saying kiwi
How do you pronounce kiwi?
Say KEE-wee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkiwi/. In British English it is /ˈkiːwi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kiwi?
Kiwi has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KEE). Broken into parts: KEE · wee.
Do Americans and Brits say kiwi the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkiwi/ and the British form is /ˈkiːwi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.