How to pronounce autochthon
Say it like aw-TOK-thun. Autochthon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce autochthon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- aw
- TOK
- thun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Autochthon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- awKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- TOKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- thunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of autochthon
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: aw-TOK-thun.
What does autochthon mean?
- The earliest inhabitant of an area; an indigenous person.
- A large mass of rock in the place of its original formation, rooted to its basement (foundation rock) as opposed to an allochthon or nappe which has shifted from the place of formation; an autochthonous rock formation.
- A term referring to mortals and immortals who have sprung, fully-formed, from the soil, rocks and trees. Mythical characters, such as Erichthonius (a son of Hephaestus and Gaia, and raised by Athena), and Cecrops I, are two most well-known examples.
Questions about saying autochthon
How do you pronounce autochthon?
Say aw-TOK-thun. The American pronunciation is /ɔˈtɑkθən/. In British English it is /ɔːˈtɒkθən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in autochthon?
Autochthon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOK). Broken into parts: aw · TOK · thun.
Is autochthon pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ɔːˈtɒkθən/ (aw-TOK-thun).