How to pronounce burthen
Say it like BUR-thun. Burthen has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce burthen. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BUR
- thun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Burthen pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- thunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of burthen
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BUR-thun.
What does burthen mean?
- Rarely used musical tempo, meaning slow and ponderous (e.g., moving under a burden); similar to largo.
- A section of music with the tempo mark burthen.
Where does burthen come from?
Old form of burden. Compare similar development in murder.
Questions about saying burthen
How do you pronounce burthen?
Say BUR-thun. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɝðən/. In British English it is /ˈbɜːðən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in burthen?
Burthen has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BUR). Broken into parts: BUR · thun.
Is burthen pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈbɜːðən/ (BUR-thun).