How to pronounce kowhai
Say it like KOH-fy. Kowhai has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOH).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce kowhai. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈkoʊfaɪ/KOH-fy
UK British/ˈkəʊfaɪ/KOH-fy
- KOH
- fy
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kowhai pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- fyKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of kowhai
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: KOH-fy.
What does kowhai mean?
noun
- Any of several small woody legume trees in the genus Sophora native to New Zealand that have yellow flowers. The national flower of New Zealand.
Where does kowhai come from?
From Māori kōwhai (“yellow”).
Questions about saying kowhai
How do you pronounce kowhai?
Say KOH-fy. The American pronunciation is /ˈkoʊfaɪ/. In British English it is /ˈkəʊfaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kowhai?
Kowhai has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOH). Broken into parts: KOH · fy.
Is kowhai pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈkəʊfaɪ/ (KOH-fy).