How to pronounce tonka
Say it like TONG-kuh. Tonka has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TONG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tonka. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TONG
- kuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tonka pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TONGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tonka
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: TONG-kuh.
What does tonka mean?
- A flavoring or fragrance used in foodstuffs and perfumes, derived from the tonka bean which contains coumarin.
Where does tonka come from?
Likely from Guyanese Creole English tonka, from a Tupian language, perhaps Kari'na tonka.
Words that rhyme with tonka
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tonka.
Questions about saying tonka
How do you pronounce tonka?
Say TONG-kuh. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɑŋkə/. In British English it is /ˈtɒŋkə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tonka?
Tonka has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TONG). Broken into parts: TONG · kuh.
Is tonka 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 /ˈtɒŋkə/ (TONG-kuh).