How to pronounce Okinawa
Say it like oh-kin-AH-wuh. Okinawa has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Okinawa. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- kin
- AH
- wuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Okinawa pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- kinGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- AHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- wuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of Okinawa
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: ok-ee-NAH-wuh.
What does Okinawa mean?
- A prefecture and island group of Japan.
- The main island of the Okinawa and Ryukyu Islands, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.
- The second-largest city on Okinawa Island, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.
Questions about saying Okinawa
How do you pronounce Okinawa?
Say oh-kin-AH-wuh. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊˌkɪˈnɑwə/. In British English it is /ˌɒkiːˈnɑːwə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Okinawa?
Okinawa has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AH). Broken into parts: oh · kin · AH · wuh.
Is Okinawa pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌɒkiːˈnɑːwə/ (ok-ee-NAH-wuh).