A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Kia
The car brand is pronounced KEE-uh, with the stress on the first syllable. Don't say 'kee-ah'.
kia
KEE-uh
/ˈkiː.ə/ · KEE · uh
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's a common name in automotive conversations and advertising.
Where the word comes from
The name 'Kia' comes from the Korean words 'ki' (meaning 'to rise' or 'to establish') and 'a' (meaning 'Asia').
Common ways people get it wrong
- kee-ah Some people pronounce the second syllable as a distinct 'ah' sound. Ensure the 'uh' sound is soft and unstressed.
Frequently asked
How do you say Kia?
It's pronounced KEE-uh, with the emphasis on the first syllable. The second syllable is a soft 'uh' sound, like the 'a' in 'sofa'.
Is it pronounced Key-ah or Kee-uh?
It's pronounced KEE-uh. The 'i' is a long 'ee' sound, and the 'a' is a short, unstressed 'uh' sound.
What does Kia mean?
The name Kia is derived from Korean words meaning 'to rise' or 'to establish' and 'Asia'.
