How to pronounce waka
Say it like WAK-uh. Waka has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce waka. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WAK
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Waka pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of waka
American and British speakers say waka in essentially the same way: /ˈwækə/ in the US and /ˈwækə/ in the UK.
British respelling: WAK-uh.
What does waka mean?
- A kind of classical Japanese poem.
- A Maori canoe.
- A broad Maori community consisting of numerous Maori tribes, all sharing common ancestors thought to have come to New Zealand in a particular canoe. (A waka is divided into several iwi.)
Words that rhyme with waka
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of waka.
Questions about saying waka
How do you pronounce waka?
Say WAK-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˈwækə/. In British English it is /ˈwækə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in waka?
Waka has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WAK). Broken into parts: WAK · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say waka the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈwækə/ and the British form is /ˈwækə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.