How to pronounce kookaburra
Say it like KUUK-uh-buhr-uh. Kookaburra has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUUK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce kookaburra. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KUUK
- uh
- buhr
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kookaburra pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KUUKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- buhrGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of kookaburra
American and British speakers say kookaburra in essentially the same way: /ˈkʊkəˌbʌrə/ in the US and /ˈkʊkəˌbʌrə/ in the UK.
British respelling: KUUK-uh-buhr-uh.
What does kookaburra mean?
- Any of several species of kingfishers in the genus Dacelo.
Where does kookaburra come from?
Borrowed from Wiradjuri guuguubarra (“laughing kookaburra”).
Questions about saying kookaburra
How do you pronounce kookaburra?
Say KUUK-uh-buhr-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˈkʊkəˌbʌrə/. In British English it is /ˈkʊkəˌbʌrə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kookaburra?
Kookaburra has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUUK). Broken into parts: KUUK · uh · buhr · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say kookaburra the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkʊkəˌbʌrə/ and the British form is /ˈkʊkəˌbʌrə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.