How to pronounce contrastive
Say it like kun-TRAS-tiv. Contrastive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contrastive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TRAS
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contrastive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TRASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of contrastive
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: kun-TRAH-stiv.
What does contrastive mean?
- Contrasting: tending to contrast; being in contrast.
Where does contrastive come from?
From contrast + -ive.
Questions about saying contrastive
How do you pronounce contrastive?
Say kun-TRAS-tiv. The American pronunciation is /kənˈtræstɪv/. In British English it is /kənˈtrɑːstɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contrastive?
Contrastive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAS). Broken into parts: kun · TRAS · tiv.
Is contrastive pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat. The British form is /kənˈtrɑːstɪv/ (kun-TRAH-stiv).