"Wert a quandary" is a common phrase that refers to being in a state of confusion or uncertainty. The word "wert" is an archaic form of the verb "were," which means "to be." The spelling of "quandary" is fairly straightforward, with the "qua" sound being pronounced as /kwɑː/ and the "dary" sound being pronounced as /dɛri/. When combined, the word is pronounced as /wɜːt ə ˈkwɒndəri/. While the spelling may seem peculiar, understanding the phonetic transcription can help with proper pronunciation.