The word "khwa" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /kwɑː/. The "kh" sound is a voiceless velar fricative, which is pronounced by making a breathy noise in the back of the mouth. The "w" serves as a glide, transitioning from the "k" to the "a" sound. The long "a" is pronounced as in "car". This unique spelling reflects the distinct sound of the word, which is used in languages such as Hindi and Urdu to mean "wish".