How to pronounce citizen
Say it like SIT-uh-zun. Citizen has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce citizen. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SIT
- uh
- zun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Citizen pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- zunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of citizen
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: SIT-ih-zun.
What does citizen mean?
- a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
Where does citizen come from?
From Middle English citeseyn (“inhabitant of a city or town”), citezein, citisein, from Anglo-Norman citesain (“city-dweller, town-dweller”), citesein, citezein, alteration of citeien from cite (“city”) + -ien (“-ain”) (probable variant of
Questions about saying citizen
How do you pronounce citizen?
Say SIT-uh-zun. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪtəzən/. In British English it is /ˈsɪtɪzən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in citizen?
Citizen has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIT). Broken into parts: SIT · uh · zun.
Is citizen pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈsɪtɪzən/ (SIT-ih-zun).