How to pronounce Kolkata
Say it like kohl-KAH-tuh. Kolkata has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Kolkata. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kohl
- KAH
- tuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kolkata pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kohlKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- KAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of Kolkata
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: kol-KAH-tuh.
What does Kolkata mean?
- The capital city of West Bengal, India, formerly known in English as Calcutta.
Words that rhyme with Kolkata
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Kolkata.
Questions about saying Kolkata
How do you pronounce Kolkata?
Say kohl-KAH-tuh. The American pronunciation is /koʊlˈkɑtə/. In British English it is /kɒlˈkɑːtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Kolkata?
Kolkata has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAH). Broken into parts: kohl · KAH · tuh.
Is Kolkata pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /kɒlˈkɑːtə/ (kol-KAH-tuh).