How to pronounce Ottawa
Say it like AH-tuh-wah. Ottawa has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Ottawa. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AH
- tuh
- wah
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ottawa pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- wahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of Ottawa
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: OT-uh-wuh.
What does Ottawa mean?
- A city in Ontario, Canada; the capital city of Canada.
- A river flowing southeast between Ontario and Quebec, Canada into the St. Lawrence River.
Where does Ottawa come from?
From Ojibwe odaawaa/ᐅᑡᐙ (“an Ottawa; a trader”), from Proto-Algonquian *atawewa (“to trade”).
Questions about saying Ottawa
How do you pronounce Ottawa?
Say AH-tuh-wah. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑtəˌwɑ/. In British English it is /ˈɒtəwə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Ottawa?
Ottawa has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH). Broken into parts: AH · tuh · wah.
Is Ottawa 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 /ˈɒtəwə/ (OT-uh-wuh).