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Cultures and faiths · Muslim weddings

How do you pronounce nikah in Arabic?

Answered by the UK Wedding Websites editorial team · Updated 2026-10-12 · For brides · For grooms

Short answer

Nikah is pronounced roughly as 'nee-kah', with the 'ni' sounding like 'nee' and the 'kah' like 'cah'. The stress falls on the first syllable.

Nikah is pronounced roughly as 'nee-kah'. The first syllable, 'ni', sounds like 'nee' in 'knee'. The second syllable, 'kah', sounds like 'cah' in 'cafe'. The stress falls on the first syllable, so it sounds like 'NEE-kah'. Some people may pronounce it slightly differently depending on their dialect or regional accent, but 'nee-kah' is the most common pronunciation in English. The word comes from Arabic and refers to the marriage contract in Islam. If you are unsure about the pronunciation, you can ask your imam or a friend who is familiar with the term. It is also helpful to know that the spelling can vary, with 'nikah', 'nekah' and 'niqah' all being used. The meaning and purpose of the ceremony remain the same regardless of how it is spelled or pronounced.

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