How to pronounce paua
Say it like PAH-wuh. Paua has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce paua. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAH
- wuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paua pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PAHSay 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 paua
American and British speakers say paua in essentially the same way: /ˈpɑwə/ in the US and /ˈpɑːwə/ in the UK.
British respelling: PAH-wuh.
What does paua mean?
- Any of several large, edible abalones of New Zealand, especially Haliotis iris, whose shell is used to make jewelry.
- The shell of this mollusc.
- A fish hook made from this shell.
Where does paua come from?
Borrowed from Māori pāua.
Questions about saying paua
How do you pronounce paua?
Say PAH-wuh. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑwə/. In British English it is /ˈpɑːwə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paua?
Paua has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAH). Broken into parts: PAH · wuh.
Do Americans and Brits say paua the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɑwə/ and the British form is /ˈpɑːwə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.