How to pronounce luau
Say it like LOO-ow. Luau has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce luau. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LOO
- ow
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Luau pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- owGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of luau
American and British speakers say luau in essentially the same way: /ˈluˌaʊ/ in the US and /ˈluːˌaʊ/ in the UK.
British respelling: LOO-ow.
What does luau mean?
- An elaborate Hawaiian feast featuring traditional foods and entertainment.
Where does luau come from?
Borrowed from Hawaiian lūʻau.
Questions about saying luau
How do you pronounce luau?
Say LOO-ow. The American pronunciation is /ˈluˌaʊ/. In British English it is /ˈluːˌaʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in luau?
Luau has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOO). Broken into parts: LOO · ow.
Do Americans and Brits say luau the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈluˌaʊ/ and the British form is /ˈluːˌaʊ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.