How to pronounce carbocation
Say it like kar-boh-KAT-eyen. Carbocation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAT).
VoiceSpeed
US American/ˌkɑrboʊˈkætaɪn/kar-boh-KAT-eyen
UK British/ˌkɑːbəʊˈkætaɪn/kah-boh-KAT-eyen
- kar
- boh
- KAT
- eyen
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Carbocation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- karGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- bohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- KATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- eyenKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of carbocation
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: kah-boh-KAT-eyen.
What does carbocation mean?
noun
- Any cation containing an excess positive charge on one or more carbon atoms
Where does carbocation come from?
From carbo- + cation.
Questions about saying carbocation
How do you pronounce carbocation?
Say kar-boh-KAT-eyen. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑrboʊˈkætaɪn/. In British English it is /ˌkɑːbəʊˈkætaɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in carbocation?
Carbocation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAT). Broken into parts: kar · boh · KAT · eyen.
Is carbocation 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 /ˌkɑːbəʊˈkætaɪn/ (kah-boh-KAT-eyen).