How to pronounce conversation
Say it like kahn-ver-SAY-shun. Conversation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce conversation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kahn
- ver
- SAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Conversation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kahnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- SAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of conversation
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kon-vuh-SAY-shun.
What does conversation mean?
- the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
Where does conversation come from?
Morphologically converse + -ation.
Words that rhyme with conversation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of conversation.
Questions about saying conversation
How do you pronounce conversation?
Say kahn-ver-SAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑnvɚˈseɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in conversation?
Conversation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SAY). Broken into parts: kahn · ver · SAY · shun.
Is conversation 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 /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən/ (kon-vuh-SAY-shun).