How to pronounce moai
Say it like MOH-eye. Moai has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOH).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce moai. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈmoʊaɪ/MOH-eye
UK British/ˈməʊaɪ/MOH-eye
- MOH
- eye
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Moai pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- eyeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of moai
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: MOH-eye.
What does moai mean?
noun
- One of the large stone statues on Easter Island (Rapa Nui).
Where does moai come from?
Borrowed from Rapa Nui mo'ai (“statue, figurine”).
Questions about saying moai
How do you pronounce moai?
Say MOH-eye. The American pronunciation is /ˈmoʊaɪ/. In British English it is /ˈməʊaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in moai?
Moai has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOH). Broken into parts: MOH · eye.
Is moai 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 /ˈməʊaɪ/ (MOH-eye).