How do you pronounce chuppah and how do you spell it?

Short answer

You pronounce chuppah as KHOO-puh, with a soft, throaty 'kh' sound from the back of the throat. The spelling is c-h-u-p-p-a-h. Some people also spell it huppah, but chuppah is the most common form in the UK.

The word chuppah comes from Hebrew and means 'canopy' or 'covering'. In a Jewish wedding, the chuppah is the canopy under which the couple stands during the ceremony. It symbolises the new home they are building together, open on all sides to welcome family and friends.

To pronounce it, start with a 'kh' sound, like the 'ch' in the Scottish word 'loch' or the German 'Bach'. It is not a hard 'k' sound. Then say 'oo' as in 'moon', and finish with 'puh'. So it is KHOO-puh, with the stress on the first syllable.

You will often see it written as chuppah, but huppah is also used, especially in some transliterations. Both refer to the same thing. In the UK, most people write chuppah. The plural is chuppot or chuppahs.

If you are a guest, you do not need to worry about getting it perfect. People will understand what you mean. If you are planning a wedding, your rabbi or celebrant will say the word many times during the ceremony, so you will quickly get used to it.

Remember that Jewish traditions vary between communities, so pronunciation and spelling can differ slightly. If you are unsure, ask the person leading your ceremony or check with your synagogue.