How to pronounce catatonia
Say it like kat-uh-TOH-nee-uh. Catatonia has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce catatonia. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kat
- uh
- TOH
- nee
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Catatonia pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- katGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of catatonia
- 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: kat-uh-TOH-nee-uh.
What does catatonia mean?
- A severe psychiatric condition, often associated with schizophrenia, characterized by a tendency to remain in a rigid state of stupor for long periods which give way to short periods of extreme agitation.
- A frozen, unresponsive state, as of electronic equipment.
Where does catatonia come from?
From international scientific vocabulary, from German Katatonie, from New Latin catatonia, from a Greek word meaning to stretch tight.
Words that rhyme with catatonia
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of catatonia.
Questions about saying catatonia
How do you pronounce catatonia?
Say kat-uh-TOH-nee-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˌkætəˈtoʊniə/. In British English it is /ˌkætəˈtəʊniə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in catatonia?
Catatonia has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TOH). Broken into parts: kat · uh · TOH · nee · uh.
Is catatonia pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌkætəˈtəʊniə/ (kat-uh-TOH-nee-uh).