The spelling of the word "kowaleski" phonetically reads as /kəˈwɑːlɛski/. This word is a surname of Polish origin and its spelling may seem complicated to those unfamiliar with Polish phonetics. The first syllable contains a schwa sound, followed by the "w" sound pronounced like a "v". The "a" in the second syllable is pronounced like an "o" in "on", while the "e" is pronounced like the "e" in "bet". The final syllable contains the "ski" sound, which is commonly found in Polish surnames.
The word Kowaleski is a Polish surname. It is derived from the Polish word kowal, which means blacksmith. The suffix -ski in Polish surnames is often added to indicate belonging to or being associated with something, in this case, a blacksmith. Therefore, Kowaleski could be translated as belonging to the blacksmith or descendant of the blacksmith.