How to pronounce punkahwallah
Say it like PUHNG-kuh-wah-luh. Punkahwallah has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUHNG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce punkahwallah. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUHNG
- kuh
- wah
- luh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Punkahwallah pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PUHNGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- kuhKeep 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.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of punkahwallah
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: PUHNG-kuh-wol-uh.
What does punkahwallah mean?
- A servant who operates a punkah (type of fan).
Questions about saying punkahwallah
How do you pronounce punkahwallah?
Say PUHNG-kuh-wah-luh. The American pronunciation is /ˈpʌŋkəˌwɑlə/. In British English it is /ˈpʌŋkəˌwɒlə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in punkahwallah?
Punkahwallah has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUHNG). Broken into parts: PUHNG · kuh · wah · luh.
Is punkahwallah 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 /ˈpʌŋkəˌwɒlə/ (PUHNG-kuh-wol-uh).