How to pronounce shiva
Say it like SHEE-vuh. Shiva has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shiva. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHEE
- vuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shiva pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of shiva
American and British speakers say shiva in essentially the same way: /ˈʃivə/ in the US and /ˈʃiːvə/ in the UK.
British respelling: SHEE-vuh.
What does shiva mean?
- A weeklong period of formal mourning for a close relative.
Words that rhyme with shiva
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of shiva.
Questions about saying shiva
How do you pronounce shiva?
Say SHEE-vuh. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃivə/. In British English it is /ˈʃiːvə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shiva?
Shiva has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHEE). Broken into parts: SHEE · vuh.
Do Americans and Brits say shiva the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈʃivə/ and the British form is /ˈʃiːvə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.