A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Ikea
Learn the standard American English pronunciation of the Swedish furniture giant IKEA.
ikea
eye-KEE-uh
/aɪˈkiːə/ · i · ke · a
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It is frequently mentioned in casual conversation when referencing a trip to the store or a specific piece of flat-pack furniture.
Where the word comes from
The name is an acronym formed from the founder's initials (Ingvar Kamprad), the farm where he grew up (Elmtaryd), and the nearby village (Agunnaryd).
Common ways people get it wrong
- EE-kee-uh Many people assume the I is pronounced like the Swedish E, but in standard American English, it is pronounced like the word eye.
Frequently asked
Is it pronounced ee-kee-uh or eye-kee-uh?
In the United States, the standard pronunciation is eye-kee-uh. While the Swedish pronunciation sounds more like ee-kee-uh, most Americans use the eye sound.
Why do some people say it differently?
Pronunciation often shifts based on regional accents and how much exposure someone has to the original Swedish pronunciation. Both are generally understood, but eye-kee-uh is the standard American convention.
Is IKEA a word or an acronym?
It is an acronym created by the company founder, Ingvar Kamprad. It combines his initials with the names of his childhood home and village.
