How to pronounce aspirate
Say it like AS-puh-rut. Aspirate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce aspirate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AS
- puh
- rut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Aspirate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of aspirate
American and British speakers say aspirate in essentially the same way: /ˈæspərət/ in the US and /ˈæspərət/ in the UK.
British respelling: AS-puh-rut.
What does aspirate mean?
- The puff of air accompanying the release of a plosive or fricative consonant.
- A sound produced by such a puff of air.
- A mark of aspiration (ʽ) used in Greek; the asper, or rough breathing.
- To remove a liquid or gas by means of suction.
- To inhale something other than air into one's lungs.
- To suffocate, having inhaled something other than air.“The autopsy found that the casualty had aspirated in her sleep.”
- Synonym of aspirated.
Where does aspirate come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin aspīrātus.
Questions about saying aspirate
How do you pronounce aspirate?
Say AS-puh-rut. The American pronunciation is /ˈæspərət/. In British English it is /ˈæspərət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in aspirate?
Aspirate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AS). Broken into parts: AS · puh · rut.
Do Americans and Brits say aspirate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæspərət/ and the British form is /ˈæspərət/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.