How to pronounce Pakistan
Say it like PAK-ih-stan. Pakistan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Pakistan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAK
- ih
- stan
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pakistan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- stanGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of Pakistan
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: PAH-kih-stahn.
What does Pakistan mean?
- A country in South Asia. Official name: Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Capital: Islamabad.
Where does Pakistan come from?
Absent from said acronym (which may possibly be a backronym) is the letter ⟨i⟩, which is epenthetic.
Questions about saying Pakistan
How do you pronounce Pakistan?
Say PAK-ih-stan. The American pronunciation is /ˈpækɪˌstæn/. In British English it is /ˈpɑːkɪˌstɑːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Pakistan?
Pakistan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAK). Broken into parts: PAK · ih · stan.
Is Pakistan pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat. The British form is /ˈpɑːkɪˌstɑːn/ (PAH-kih-stahn).