How to pronounce kowabunga
Say it like kow-uh-BUHNG-guh. Kowabunga has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BUHNG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce kowabunga. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kow
- uh
- BUHNG
- guh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kowabunga pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kowGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BUHNGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- guhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of kowabunga
American and British speakers say kowabunga in essentially the same way: /ˌkaʊəˈbʌŋɡə/ in the US and /ˌkaʊəˈbʌŋɡə/ in the UK.
British respelling: kow-uh-BUHNG-guh.
What does kowabunga mean?
- Alternative spelling of cowabunga.
Questions about saying kowabunga
How do you pronounce kowabunga?
Say kow-uh-BUHNG-guh. The American pronunciation is /ˌkaʊəˈbʌŋɡə/. In British English it is /ˌkaʊəˈbʌŋɡə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kowabunga?
Kowabunga has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BUHNG). Broken into parts: kow · uh · BUHNG · guh.
Do Americans and Brits say kowabunga the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌkaʊəˈbʌŋɡə/ and the British form is /ˌkaʊəˈbʌŋɡə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.