How to Pronounce “quota”

American (US)

/ˈkwoʊtə/

British (UK)

/ˈkwəʊtə/

Australian (AU)

/ˈkwəʉ.tə/

noun — A fixed share or limited quantity allowed or required.

Example: The team hit its sales quota in November.

Synonyms: allocation, allowance

Where the stress falls. “quota” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkwoʊtə/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈkwoʊtə/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "quota" mean?

quota (noun): A fixed share or limited quantity allowed or required. For example — The team hit its sales quota in November.

How do you pronounce "quota" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈkwoʊtə/. British English: /ˈkwəʊtə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "quota"?

/ˈkwoʊtə/ in American English, /ˈkwəʊtə/ in British English, /ˈkwəʉ.tə/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "quota"?

“quota” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkwoʊtə/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.