A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Petra
Pronounced PEH-truh, this ancient Jordanian city was carved directly into sandstone cliffs.
petra
PEH-truh
/ˈpɛtrə/ · PEH · truh
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
Petra is often mentioned in travel discussions, documentaries about ancient civilizations, and historical contexts. You might hear it when people talk about visiting Jordan or exploring archaeological wonders.
Where the word comes from
The name 'Petra' comes from the Greek word 'petra', meaning 'rock'. This refers to the city's famous rock-cut architecture.
Common ways people get it wrong
- peh-TRAH Some might stress the second syllable by analogy with other foreign words, but the stress is on the first syllable in English.
- PEE-truh The first vowel sound is short, like in 'pet', not long like in 'Peter'.
Frequently asked
Is Petra pronounced with a long or short 'e'?
The 'e' in Petra is short, like the 'e' in 'pet' or 'bed'. It's not pronounced like the 'ee' in 'Peter'.
Where is Petra located and why is it famous?
Petra is an ancient city in southern Jordan, famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New7Wonders of the World.
