How to pronounce coltan
Say it like KOHL-tan. Coltan has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce coltan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOHL
- tan
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Coltan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tanGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of coltan
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: KOHL-tan.
What does coltan mean?
- A metallic ore, (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)₂O₆, from which the elements niobium and tantalum are extracted.“Coltan is used for the production of tantalum capacitors.”
Where does coltan come from?
Blend of columbite + tantalite.
Questions about saying coltan
How do you pronounce coltan?
Say KOHL-tan. The American pronunciation is /ˈkoʊlˌtæn/. In British English it is /ˈkəʊlˌtæn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in coltan?
Coltan has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOHL). Broken into parts: KOHL · tan.
Is coltan 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 /ˈkəʊlˌtæn/ (KOHL-tan).