A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Krakow
Pronounce Krakow like 'crack' followed by 'ow' to get the Polish city's name right.
krakow
KRACK-ow
/ˈkræ.kaʊ/ · KRACK · ow
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's a major tourist destination and a significant cultural center in Poland, so it appears in travel guides, news reports, and conversations about Eastern Europe.
Where the word comes from
The name Krakow is believed to derive from the legendary Slavic prince Krakus, who supposedly founded the city. The name has been in use since at least the 10th century.
Common ways people get it wrong
- kuh-RAH-koh This mispronunciation often comes from trying to force an English 'a' sound into the first syllable and an 'o' sound into the second.
- KRAH-koh This version misses the diphthong sound at the end, which should be similar to the 'ow' in 'cow'.
Frequently asked
Is it CRAW-cow or KRACK-ow?
It's closer to KRACK-ow. The first syllable rhymes with 'crack', and the second syllable sounds like 'ow' as in 'cow'.
How do you pronounce the 'k' sound in Krakow?
The 'k' sound is hard, like in 'kick'. There's no softness or 'sh' sound involved.
Is Krakow pronounced with an 'o' sound at the end?
No, the ending is more of an 'ow' sound, similar to the word 'cow' or 'now'. It's not a pure 'o' sound.
How do the Polish say Kraków?
In Polish, Kraków is pronounced roughly as KRAH-koov. The 'ó' makes an 'oo' sound.
Is it Kraków or Kraków?
The correct spelling is Kraków, with an accent mark over the 'o'. This accent indicates a specific pronunciation.
How do you pronounce the capital of Poland?
The capital of Poland is Warsaw, which is pronounced WAR-saw. Kraków is a different major city in Poland.
